3 can't-miss games on Tuesday's busy NHL schedule

Tuesday is the new Saturday, at least as far as the NHL schedule goes.

It might be mid-week, but with 11 games on the docket, there's no shortage of intriguing matchups. Among them will be a rematch between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals, plus the return of Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson.

With so many games on the slate, here are the three you can't miss:

Maple Leafs vs. Capitals

It was arguably the most intriguing matchup of the first round last spring, and the Capitals and Maple Leafs will renew acquaintances when they go head-to-head for the first time this season.

The Capitals got by the Maple Leafs in six games in a series that saw every game decided by a single goal, including five that needed overtime.

Both clubs boast top-10 offenses to begin the year, including the Maple Leafs who are averaging a league-best 5.2 goals per game. Meanwhile, the Capitals have the league's top-three scorers in Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Alex Ovechkin.

This one could be a track meet.

Lightning vs. Devils

At first glance, the Tampa Bay Lightning battling the New Jersey Devils in mid-October might not seem that appealing, but given the starts the teams are off to, this is certainly a game to keep your eyes on.

Both are thriving after missing the playoffs last season and lead their divisions, as the Lightning pace the NHL with a 5-1-0 record, while the Devils have gone 4-1-0.

The Devils are getting great contributions from rookie defenseman Will Butcher and wunderkind Jesper Bratt. Meanwhile, Nikita Kucherov is a man possessed, having scored in each of the Lightning's first six games.

Don't sleep on this one.

Canucks vs. Senators

Erik Karlsson is back.

After enduring the season's first two weeks without him, the Senators welcome their captain back when they host the Vancouver Canucks. Karlsson will make his season debut after recovering from offseason foot surgery.

Related - Senators' Boucher: Karlsson the 'best player in the world'

The Canucks are off to a mediocre 1-2-1 start, while the Senators have weathered the storm of being without their top player and are one of two clubs - the Los Angeles Kings being the other - that haven't lost in regulation this season.

With a 3-0-2 record, the Senators sit tied with the Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings for second in the Atlantic Division and with Karlsson back in the fold, it'll be interesting to see how much better the club can be.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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