NEIL'S NUGGETS - DECEMBER 8, 2025
First game at home after a road trip, is it challenging to win, or is that a myth? Let's find out.
Neil Smith
Author
published
It has long been said that the first home game after a road trip is a challenging one for NHL teams. Using four or more games as the definition of a road trip for this exercise, we went through each team's four-game or more road trips so far this season to see if that first game back home was a win or a loss. Here are some interesting takeaways from this exercise:
Three teams have not had a 4-game or more road trip this season. Pittsburgh, Colorado, and Vegas.
Eastern Conference teams won only 6 of 17 games when returning home after a 4-game or more extended road trip.
Western Conference teams won 10 of 21 when returning home after a 4-game or more road trip.
Overall, NHL teams are 17-22 in their first home game after a 4-game or more road trip.
Mathematically, teams have a 43% chance to win their first home game after a 4-game or more road trip.
Neil Smith
Author
Related Posts
SMITH'S PIX - APRIL 16, 2026
Correct pick with Vegas Wednesday brings the season mark into 573-317-124. Three meaningful games Thursday wraps up the regular season.
SMITH'S PIX - APRIL 15, 2026
2-2-1 in Tuesday's meaningful games and only one game of significance on the Wednesday schedule. 572-317-124 as the season winds down.
SMITH'S PIX - APRIL 13, 2026
A pedestrian 2-2-2 Sunday brings the overall mark to 565-314-122. Only seven of ten Monday games have post-season significance and those are the ones being selected.