This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
The National Hockey League has just three games on tap for Wednesday. Despite the fact there are only six games on the ice, there are exciting matchups and plenty of high-quality fantasy options and DFS plays available to make it an interesting and successful night.
For the second straight day in the Daily Puck, I also wanted to touch briefly on politics. I was born during the Richard Nixon administration. I am old. That is all - ha.
Enjoy the pucks, and remember this - everyone can run, but not everyone can skate.
Featured Matchups
Bruins (PP: 18, PK: 2) at Capitals (PP: 12, PK: 4), 8:00 p.m.
Expected Goalies:Tuukka Rask (25-12-4, 2.17, .917), Braden Holtby (24-8-4, 1.97, .930)
Key Injuries: There are no injured players on either team.
The Capitals are going to return home in an awfully foul mood after falling 3-2 to the Islanders in Brooklyn on Tuesday. The Bruins will be in a little more festive of a mood, as they pushed aside the Lightning by a 4-3 score in Central Florida. Boston has managed a dismal 2-9 mark against Metropolitan Division foes, however, and they're 3-13 in their past 16 tries in the second end of a back-to-back situation. The B's are also 0-4 in their past four trips to D.C., and 0-7 in their past seven meetings overall against the Caps. That's great news for the fantasy outlook of Braden Holtby, who is the clear-cut No. 1 goaltender on the board on Wednesday. Karl Alzner might also be a solid low-priced DFS option since he has averaged nearly two blocked shots per outing. If you must have a Boston player on your fantasy roster Wednesday, Brad Marchand is the best of the lot. He posted two assists and a plus-1 in Tuesday's game at Tampa Bay, and Marchand has piled up 11 goals with 21 points in 15 games in January.
Wild (PP: 10, PK: 5) at Flames (PP: 14, PK: 18), 10:00 p.m.
Expected Goalies:Devan Dubnyk (27-8-3, 1.88, .936), Chad Johnson (16-12-1, 2.50, .913)
Key Injuries:Garnet Hathaway (upper body), Ladislav Smid (neck), Victor Bartley (triceps), Jonas Brodin (finger)
The Wild posted a 5-2 victory against the Oilers in Edmonton on Tuesday night, as the Minnesota juggernaut is alive and well even after the All-Star break. The Wild have scored at least two goals in 33 straight games dating back to Nov. 19. That has been more than enough support for Devan Dubnyk, who leads the NHL with a 1.88 GAA. Jason Zucker been a big part of the offense, performing at a point-per-game clip for an extended period. He picked up a goal and assist with a plus-3 in Tuesday's game, giving him nine goals and 18 points over the past 18 outings dating back to Dec. 20. Mikael Backlund beat Dubnyk in the last meeting Dec. 2 in Calgary, and he has eight goals and 18 points with a plus-9 over his past 15 games against Western Conference opponents.
Avalanche (PP: 27, PK: 25) at Kings (PP: 21, PK: 11), 10:30 p.m.
Expected Goalies:Calvin Pickard (7-14-1, 3.10, .903), Jeff Zatkoff (2-7-1, 2.94, .881)
Key Injuries:Erik Johnson (leg), Fedor Tyutin (groin), Semyon Varlamov (groin), Matt Greene (undisclosed), Jonathan Quick (groin), Tyler Toffoli (lower body)
The Avalanche head to Southern California looking to snap an ugly road skid. Colorado is 0-6 in their past six away from the rarefied air of the Rocky Mountains, and they're 3-13 in their past 16 tries against Pacific Division teams. A good reason for the struggles of the Avalanche is their anemic power play. That's good news for Jeff Zatkoff, who has had difficulty in the crease lately. All-Star Jeff Carter has been playing with a lot of confidence, posting a goal and four points during his three-game point streak. He leads the team with 24 goals and 44 points, while also posting eight power-play goals and a team-best 14 points on the man advantage. Derek Forbort isn't much for offensive production, but he has racked up 110 hits and 104 blocked shots through 50 games to help fantasy owners. Alec Martinez is like Forbort in the hits and blocked shots categories, but he also has seven goals and 27 points to provide an offensive threat.
Recommended Pickup
Tyler Graovac, C, MIN -- Graovac lit the lamp twice in Edmonton, and he has three goals with a plus-3 over his past two games. Sure, he has averaged 11:23 of ice time during the two outings, but if he keeps finding the back of the net he is sure to buy himself even more playing time. He is just a checking line center, but Minnesota has plenty of faceless contributors stepping up, and Graovac might be the next one destined for big things.
