Wednesday fantasy hockey tips - NHL picks, matchups, more

Despite the nominal number of contests, Wednesday's three-game slate packs a hard playoff-shuffling punch. Which means those engaged on this eve are still trying (read: not resting), with all their respective productive and goaltending might. For instance, hardly secure in their WC1 spot in the East, the Islanders hope to reverse their head-to-head 2022-23 fortunes against a not-mathematically-eliminated Capitals club that's outscored them 9-4 through two earlier meetings. Look for Ilya Sorokin to start across from Darcy Kuemper in this 7:30 start at Capital One Arena.

Elsewhere, the Maple Leafs — still battling to completely nail down second spot in the Atlantic — host the Wild Card-pursuing Panthers, themselves utterly desperate for two points after losing four-straight. For the first time in six weeks, the Wild and Avalanche compete, but this time in a tilt that could see a flip in positioning a-top the Central Division. While Colorado's recent 9-1-0 run is unquestionably impressive, all but one of those victories was secured against a non-playoff team. Hosting Minnesota is a whole other can of corn.

Resources: Goalie depth chart | Injuries | Schedule | How to watch on ESPN+ | Download the ESPN Fantasy App | Daily lines

All times Eastern.

7:30 p.m., Scotiabank Arena, Watch live on ESPN+

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Just because the Panthers are the more needy team in this match-up doesn't mean matters will unfold according to their preferred script. Sergei Bobrovsky has surrendered too many in recent days — 13 total in his past three games, including five to the Maple Leafs on Mar. 23 — while backup Alex Lyon