After the hockey overload of Frozen Frenzy on Tuesday -- with all 32 teams in action -- Wednesday's schedule is a much lighter dessert, although both matchups are quite tantalizing.
The early game features the returning Eastern Conference finalist Canadiens against the Capitals, who hope to have a long playoff run in Alex Ovechkin's final NHL season. In the second game, two Western Conference juggernauts -- the Stars and the Avalanche -- hold a rematch just 24 hours after battling during the Frenzy.
Here's a look at the key stats and storylines in each contest, along with betting info and broadcast details:
Odds are provided by DraftKings and subject to change.
Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals
7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | WSH -130, O/U: 6.5
After being anointed as the next big thing during the preseason, the Canadiens have stumbled out of the starting blocks, posting a 3-2-1 record. Likewise, the Capitals were declared the unofficial winners of the offseason given their many wise trade and free agency additions, yet they are a touch worse with a 3-3-0 mark. Which team might start a hot streak with a W in this one?
Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche
8:30 p.m. ET (TNT) | COL -148, O/U: 5.5
It's rare for two teams to play each other on back-to-back nights, and even rarer for two members of the NHL's top echelon to do so. After finishing first and third in the league during the 2025-26 regular season, the Avs and the Stars have not quite gotten out to that type of start this campaign, but both are expected to be right in the mix come playoff time. The Avs won 3-2 in Dallas on Tuesday -- including another fight for Nathan MacKinnon -- how does this game turn out?
Reminder: Fans can catch all the action in the NHL streaming hub and on the ESPN App.
Jump ahead:
Top NHL stories
Last night's scores
NHL stats leaders
Today in hockey history
Top stories around the NHL
Here's what you need to know:
Greg Wyshynski identifies the top reason to watch all 32 teams this season.
The latest updated NHL Power Rankings.
Who are this season's top breakout candidates?
Carolina loses Taylor Hall to an upper-body injury in win over the Capitals.
Tkachuk Bros. combine for nine points in win over Blue Jackets during Frozen Frenzy.
The Red Wings and Alex DeBrincat are closing in on a seven-year, $91 million contract extension.
Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal will be out one to two months with a torn calf muscle.
Wild forward Nico Sturm was taken to the hospital after being hit in the head with a puck on Monday.
Tuesday's scoreboard
New Jersey Devils 5, Detroit Red Wings 4 (OT)
Florida Panthers 7, Columbus Blue Jackets 3
Montreal Canadiens 4, Buffalo Sabres 3 (SO)
Carolina Hurricanes 4, Washington Capitals 2
Seattle Kraken 3, Philadelphia Flyers 2 (SO)
New York Rangers 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 1
St. Louis Blues 7, Ottawa Senators 2
New York Islanders 3, Vancouver Canucks 2
Chicago Blackhawks 5, Pittsburgh Penguins 3
Winnipeg Jets 5, Minnesota Wild 2
Colorado Avalanche 3, Dallas Stars 2
Vegas Golden Knights 5, Nashville Predators 2
Utah Mammoth 5, Toronto Maple Leafs 4
Calgary Flames 4, Anaheim Ducks 2
Edmonton Oilers 4, Los Angeles Kings 1
Boston Bruins 6, San Jose Sharks 3
NHL scoring leaders
Click here for full list of stats leaders.
NHL goaltending leaders
Click here for the full list of goaltender stats.
Today in hockey history
Fifty-nine years ago today was the start of a new era in the NHL. In the 1967-68 season, the league doubled in size, adding the California Seals, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues in the new West Division, with the Original Six franchises making up the East Division.
On Oct. 14, 1967, two of those new teams -- the Kings and the Flyers -- would meet for the their NHL debuts at California's Long Beach Arena. The Kings won 4-2, with Brian Kilrea scoring both the historic first goal in franchise history as well as an empty-netter to seal the deal.
Each team has gone on to win two Stanley Cups in the time since -- 1974 and 1975 for the Flyers, and 2012 and 2014 for the Kings -- but the franchises have never met in a postseason series.