There are a variety of ways to evaluate the strength of a team's schedule, like how often they get to play at home, how much rest they get before each game, and the average strength of their opponents.
As the "second half" of the NHL season begins following the All-Star break, which teams are at an advantage for playoff positioning, and which have the odds stacked against them?
Let's take a closer look at the key indicators for all 31 teams, and assess what that means for their playoff chances.
Note: Teams are presented in standings order as of Jan. 31. For more on the methodology used in deriving the opponent strength factor, go here.
Central | Pacific | Metro | Atlantic
Central Division
1. Winnipeg Jets
Remaining home games: 61.3 percent | Home record: 18-3-1
Games without rest: 9.7 percent
Expected points per game: 1.10
The Jets are in a position to win their division for the second time in franchise history, and advance into the postseason for only the third. They do have one of the toughest sets of opponents, but they also have the advantage of playing a league-high 61.3 percent of their games at home, where they have an astonishing 18-3-1 record. They also have only three remaining sets of back-to-back games, which is tied for the fewest.
T-2. Nashville Predators
Remaining home games: 50.0 percent | Home record: 16-5-3
Games without rest: 17.6 percent
Expected points per game: 1.14
The Predators are tied with the Blues for second in the Central, but with four games in hand, and a much easier schedule. If anything, they may have their sights set on trying to catch the Jets for first; the Predators trail the Jets by three points, with three games in hand.
T-2. St. Louis Blues
Remaining home games: 43.3 percent | Home record: 18-10-0
Games without rest: 20.0 percent
Expected points per game: 1.07
The Blues have a five-point cushion on the fourth-place Stars, but it's a lead that could quickly evaporate with such a tough schedule. They're slated to play 56.7 percent of remaining games on the road, 20.0 percent without a day's rest, and the toughest opponents, on average, in the league.
4. Dallas Stars
Remaining home games: 48.4 percent | Home record: 17-8-1
Games without rest: 16.1 percent
Expected points per game: 1.10
This past summer, the Stars invested heavily in Ben Bishop, Marc Methot, Alexander Radulov and Martin Hanzal -- along with head coach Ken Hitchcock -- in an effort to return to the playoffs for the third time in 10 seasons. It's been working so far, and they currently hold one of the Western Conference wild-card positions. However, there are three teams within two points of their spot, and all of them have an easier remaining schedule than Dallas.
5. Minnesota Wild
Remaining home games: 50.0 percent | Home record: 17-4-4
Games without rest: 21.9 percent
Expected points per game: 1.12
The Wild will be playing seven more games without a day of rest, including a league-high six on the road. Since teams often play their backup goalies in such situations, hanging on to the final wild-card position could depend on the performance of Alex Stalock.
6. Colorado Avalanche
Remaining home games: 45.5 percent | Home record: 18-7-1
Games without rest: 9.1 percent
Expected points per game: 1.12
With excellent play at home, Colorado has climbed within two points of its second postseason appearance in eight seasons. The only problem is that the Avalanche will be playing three more games on the road than at home the rest of the way.
7. Chicago Blackhawks
Remaining home games: 50.0 percent | Home record: 12-10-3
Games without rest: 21.9 percent
Expected points per game: 1.08
The Blackhawks are in last place in the Central, meaning that the long-time Stanley Cup contenders could miss the playoffs for the first time in 10 seasons. They are only four points out of the race, but they have the third-toughest set of remaining opponents, and will be playing seven games without a day of rest.
Pacific Division
1. Vegas Golden Knights
Remaining home games: 51.5 percent | Home record: 19-3-2
Games without rest: 9.1 percent
Expected points per game: 1.16
One of the biggest stories in sports of the past several months is the Golden Knights' success, as they currently hold an 11-point lead atop the Pacific in their very first season. A highly advantageous schedule with a league-low three sets of back-to-back games could help them conclude their Cinderella season still wearing the proverbial glass slipper.
T-2. San Jose Sharks
Remaining home games: 53.1 percent | Home record: 14-7-3
Games without rest: 12.5 percent
Expected points per game: 1.09
The Sharks are in a three-way tie for second-place in the Pacific, but are facing a much tougher slate of opponents than their two California rivals. Anything can make the difference in such a tight race, including the fact that the average points percentage of San Jose's remaining opponents is .574, compared to .552 for Los Angeles and .540 for the Ducks.
T-2. Los Angeles Kings
Remaining home games: 53.1 percent | Home record: 12-9-3
Games without rest: 18.8 percent
Expected points per game: 1.13
Currently, the cutoff for making the playoffs in the Western Conference is 59 points, which is exactly how many the Kings have earned. Their remaining schedule is a little bit easier than average, which may be the difference-maker it what could be a nail-biting finish.
T-2. Anaheim Ducks
Remaining home games: 48.4 percent | Home record: 14-9-3
Games without rest: 12.9 percent
Expected points per game: 1.16
Three teams are tied for second place in the Pacific division with 59 points, one ahead of the Flames in fifth. The decisive factor in this race could be that the opponents Anaheim will be facing have combined for the lowest in the Western Conference (.540), as the veteran team continues to get healthier.
5. Calgary Flames
Remaining home games: 43.8 percent | Home record: 12-12-3
Games without rest: 12.5 percent
Expected points per game: 1.13
With a strong start to the 2018 calendar year, the Flames have climbed to within a single point of their first back-to-back playoff appearance since 2008-09. They are playing quite a few of their remaining games on the road, but that might not be a problem with a 13-5-5 away record, which ranks second league-wide to the Bruins.
6. Edmonton Oilers
Remaining home games: 48.5 percent | Home record: 11-13-1
Games without rest: 18.2 percent
Expected points per game: 1.10
Anything is possible with a player like Connor McDavid. That includes making up the 12-point differential required to secure the final playoff position, even with one of the toughest schedules in the Western Conference.
7. Vancouver Canucks
Remaining home games: 50.0 percent | Home record: 8-13-3
Games without rest: 15.6 percent
Expected points per game: 1.12
The Canucks need to make up 15 points in their remaining 33 games to qualify for the playoffs for the second time in five seasons. Their relatively average remaining schedule won't be of much help in filling such a tall order.
8. Arizona Coyotes
Remaining home games: 53.1 percent | Home record: 6-15-3
Games without rest: 15.6 percent
Expected points per game: 1.12
The Coyotes get to play the majority of their remaining games at home, which is small comfort to a team with the league's worst home record. The Coyotes are 26 points out of a playoff spot, which is an obstacle that no schedule can help them overcome.
Metropolitan Division
1. Washington Capitals
Remaining home games: 43.8 percent | Home record: 18-7-1
Games without rest: 12.5 percent
Expected points per game: 1.13
The Capitals navigated their summer cap crunch well enough to find themselves atop the Metro, whose crown they have worn following each of the preceding two seasons. They have a four-point lead over the rival Penguins in second place, and have three games in hand, but they will be playing four more games on the road than at home the rest of the way.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
Remaining home games: 50.0 percent | Home record: 18-7-1
Games without rest: 26.7 percent
Expected points per game: 1.14
The defending Stanley Cup champions have recently climbed from outside the playoffs into second in the highly competitive Metro. To stay there, they will have to learn to play without a day of rest, which applies to 26.7 percent of their remaining games, the second-highest rate in the league.
T-3. New Jersey Devils
Remaining home games: 51.5 percent | Home record: 13-8-3
Games without rest: 18.2 percent
Expected points per game: 1.09
An abundance of rookies has helped boost the Devils into the surprising position of making the playoffs for the first time since losing the Stanley Cup Final in 2011-12. However, their path to the playoffs is through a set of opponents with an average winning percentage of .583, which ranks second highest in the league (only the Blues are higher, at .585).
T-3. Columbus Blue Jackets
Remaining home games: 50.0 percent | Home record: 16-8-1
Games without rest: 18.8 percent
Expected points per game: 1.11
The Blue Jackets are currently in a position to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history. In that quest, they won't be swayed one way or the other by a fairly average schedule per the factors listed here.
5. Philadelphia Flyers
Remaining home games: 46.9 percent | Home record: 13-9-4
Games without rest: 18.8 percent
Expected points per game: 1.14
Currently hanging on to the last playoff wild card seed, the Flyers are eager to avoid missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1993-94. Since their schedule is of relatively average difficulty in most regards, it shouldn't tilt them in either direction, leaving their fate in their own hands.
T-6. New York Rangers
Remaining home games: 40.6 percent | Home record: 17-8-3
Games without rest: 12.5 percent
Expected points per game: 1.10
Making the playoffs in the tight Metropolitan Division is about finding an edge, and Rangers coach Alain Vigneault was one of the first prominent coaches known to do so by using the last change in home games to match lines. Given that the team's remaining percentage of games at home is the second-lowest in the league, he will have to find that edge some place else.
T-6. New York Islanders
Remaining home games: 56.7 percent | Home record: 13-8-3
Games without rest: 20.0 percent
Expected points per game: 1.16
Just five points separate second place from last in the Metro, so a favorable schedule could make the difference between who makes the playoffs and who doesn't. If so, the Islanders are the team to watch, with a below-average set of opponents, and four more games at home than on the road.
8. Carolina Hurricanes
Remaining home games: 59.4 percent | Home record: 11-7-4
Games without rest: 28.1 percent
Expected points per game: 1.15
They may be in last place in the division, but the much-improved Hurricanes are also just two points away from the final wild card position, and their first playoff berth since reaching the Eastern Conference final in 2009. They may have to play a league-leading nine games without a day of rest, but only the Jets will be playing a higher percentage of their games at home.
Atlantic Division
1. Tampa Bay Lightning
Remaining home games: 56.3 percent | Home record: 17-5-1
Games without rest: 15.6 percent
Expected points per game: 1.19
Tampa Bay's lead has been reduced to just five points over the white-hot Bruins, who have two games in hand. However, Tampa Bay's opponents have an average points percentage of .530, and goal percentage of 48.5 percent, both of which are the lowest in the league. That relatively light schedule could help them fend off the Bruins for the critical top playoff seed.
2. Boston Bruins
Remaining home games: 42.4 percent | Home record: 16-6-4
Games without rest: 18.2 percent
Expected points per game: 1.14
The Bruins were defeated by the Ducks 3-1 on Tuesday, which was their first regulation loss since Dec. 14. Their 14-1-4 record since that date has helped them climb to second place in the Atlantic, and within striking distance of the Lightning. However, they will be playing just 42.4 percent of their remaining games at home, the third-lowest percentage in the league.
3. Toronto Maple Leafs
Remaining home games: 56.7 percent | Home record: 13-8-2
Games without rest: 16.7 percent
Expected points per game: 1.13
With a 15-point lead over the other contenders for the Atlantic Division's third seed, Toronto's ticket to the playoffs is just about punched. Their remaining schedule offers some slight advantages, but probably not enough to boost them any higher given who they're chasing.
T-4. Florida Panthers
Remaining home games: 57.6 percent | Home record: 11-8-3
Games without rest: 15.2 percent
Expected points per game: 1.18
Looking for a dark horse? To return to the playoffs for just the third time since 2000, the Panthers need to make up 10 points in 34 games for the hotly contested Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Their greatest advantage could be their favorable schedule, which includes the second-easiest set of opponents, and five more games at home than on the road.
T-4. Detroit Red Wings
Remaining home games: 39.4 percent | Home record: 10-10-7
Games without rest: 18.2 percent
Expected points per game: 1.09
Detroit's incredible string of consecutive playoff appearances was ended at 25 last season. This season, their fleeting hopes of starting a new streak may be frustrated by the toughest remaining streak in the NHL, which includes the lowest percentage of games at home, and the fourth-highest average opponent winning percentage, .578.
T-4. Montreal Canadiens
Remaining home games: 43.8 percent | Home record: 12-10-5
Games without rest: 18.8 percent
Expected points per game: 1.12
Prior to 1999, the Canadiens missed the playoffs just nine times since the NHL was launched in 1917-18. If they miss the playoffs this season, then it will be for the eighth time since then. Their remaining schedule does them no favors in avoiding that fate, with an above-average set of opponents, games without rest, and games on the road.
7. Ottawa Senators
Remaining home games: 47.1 percent | Home record: 9-11-5
Games without rest: 23.5 percent
Expected points per game: 1.13
Things are not looking up for the Senators, who are 17 points out of a playoff spot, and will play the majority of their remaining games on the road, and 23.5 percent of them without a day of rest -- the third-most in the league.
8. Buffalo Sabres
Remaining home games: 59.4 percent | Home record: 6-13-3
Games without rest: 15.6 percent
Expected points per game: 1.10
It has been another forgettable season for the Sabres, who are last in the Eastern Conference. Given that they have a second-worst home record 6-13-3, playing the second-highest percentage of their remaining games at home is not much of an advantage.
Methodology
Arguably, the greatest factor in a team's chances of winning any given game is their opponent. Teams have earned an average of 0.73 points per game against Tampa Bay, but enjoyed 1.66 when playing Arizona.
Over the long run, these factors tend to average out, with roughly an equal number of games against stronger opponents and weaker ones. However, some slight differences remain that could add up to two or three extra points in the standings.
How can this be calculated? There are established methods of estimating the strength of a team's remaining schedule, as used in college sports, where it's not possible to play every single opponent, and there can be a significant difference in one team's schedule vs. another's.
It all starts with the Strength of Schedule (SOS) statistic, where a team's opponents record, and the record of the opponents of a team's opponents, are added together in a two-to-one ratio, and divided by three. That leads to the Rating Percentage Index (RPI), which is the combination of a team's own winning percentage, and its SOS, in a one-to-three ratio.
The more sophisticated method is Ken's Ratings for American College Hockey (KRACH), which uses the Bradley-Terry system. Also known as Z-Ratings, this method involves establishing an expected number of wins based on the chances of winning each individual game, and then comparing those expectations to the actual results.
In this case, we stick to simply calculating the average points percentage and goal percentage for each team's remaining opponents, and the expected number of points per game.