This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
There are just two games in the National Hockey League on Wednesday. It's the calm before the storm, as the final four days of the regular season will be a crazy fight to the finish for some teams. Other, like the Canadiens, already know their fate and the final weekend of games won't be as special. Either way, we're just about one week from the start of the latest quest for Lord Stanley's Cup.
Featured Matchups
Canadiens (PP: 13, PK: 13) at Sabres (PP: 1, PK: 27), 7:30 p.m.
Expected Goalies:Carey Price (37-18-5, 2.20, .924), Robin Lehner (22-25-8, 2.70, .920)
Key Injuries:Taylor Fedun (undisclosed), Johan Larsson (wrist), Kyle Okposo (illness), Jordie Benn (upper body), Torrey Mitchell (illness), Al Montoya (lower body), Shea Weber (lower body)
The Canadiens have wrapped up the Atlantic Division title and they roll into Wednesday's game on a five-game winning streak. Now they look to finish strong by polishing off an old nemesis. The Habs have won seven of their past nine trips to Western New York, and they're 4-1 in the past five against the Sabres. Part of Montreal's success has been their ability to pick on the dregs of the league, as they're 7-2 in their past nine against losing teams. Carey Price is 12-2-0 with a .945 save percentage over his past 14 appearances, and he is 1-0-1 with a 2.46 GAA and .935 save percentage against Buffalo this season. Phillip Danault has five points over his past four outings, while Ryan O'Reilly has lit the lamp three times in the past five games for the Sabres.
Rangers (PP: 11, PK: 23) at Capitals (PP: 3, PK: 7), 8:00 p.m.
Expected Goalies:Henrik Lundqvist (31-18-4, 2.75, .910), Braden Holtby (41-12-6, 2.11, .924)
Key Injuries:Jesper Fast (undisclosed), Ryan McDonagh (undisclosed), Rick Nash (undisclosed), Mats Zuccarello (undisclosed), John Carlson (lower body)
The Rangers will rest a handful of players due to what head coach Alain Vigneault called bumps and bruises, so Pavel Buchnevich and Brandon Pirri are expected to draw into the lineup with several regulars out. Henrik Lundqvist will battle Braden Holtby in a matchup of two of the best goaltenders in the Eastern Conference. Kevin Shattenkirk picked up his first goal in a Caps uniform in Monday's victory in Toronto. Meanwhile, Tom Wilson also found the back of the net, giving him a goal and three points with a plus-2 rating over the past four outings. Normally it's his way of annoying the opponent which draws attention, but lately it's his surprising offensive contributions.
Recommended Pickup
Andre Burakovsky, LW, WAS - While Burakovsky operates as a bottom-six forward he somehow manages to find his way onto the scoresheet on a semi-frequent basis. The Austrian-born forward has managed seven goals and 20 points over the past 23 outings. He is a player worth keeping an eye on in postseason pools and Burakovsky is a nice DFS option down the stretch.
