Tuesday fantasy hockey tips - NHL picks, matchups, more

Amazingly, with the regular season's finish line well in sight, the majority of Tuesday's 10-game slate still carries significant playoff-related implications for at least one side. Which makes it easier on fantasy managers to assemble their own lineups. It's not like prominent heavy-hitters — unless hurt (see: Jack Eichel) — are going to sit out with so much on the line. So, rating the matchups themselves becomes all the more important, particularly in gauging streaming and Daily Fantasy options. For instance, there are some real tough doozies out West that might not reap a ton of fantasy scoring — goals, assists — altogether. Oilers vs. Avalanche serving as one noted exception.

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Then there's a small handful of contests that carry zero weight, outside of who might tumble further in favor of selecting top draft prospect Connor Bedard. The Ducks only lead the Blue Jackets (and Blackhawks) by two points for dead-last in the league. Meaning there's extra fantasy appeal to appreciate from their respective opponents, the Canucks and Flyers — who are too high in the standings to fall significantly far — especially individual players wanting to make a positive impression ahead of next season before wrapping it all up.

Leftover is a meaningless first-round preview (on paper) between the Maple Leafs and Lightning, where no one is going to destroy themselves trying to dominate the other before it actually matters, and an equally insignificant tilt between the Capitals and Bruins. Please check who's actually playing from these squads before solidifying your own fantasy lineup for the evening.

Also of note: Defenseman Luke Hughes, selected fourth overall in 2021,