Blackhawks week ahead: Home-and-home against the Predators

Home sweet home. The Chicago Blackhawks will play three home games and one in Nashville this week, which has become a home-away from home. Fill the Music City with red. Following the home-and-home the Hawks complete a back-to-back with the Jets in town before hosting the Canucks on Sunday.

Let's take a look at the upcoming week in Blackhawks' hockey (all times Central):

Monday - Off day

A light Monday around the NHL with only three games. The Predators, who the Hawks face twice this week, will be in Boston against the Bruins, while the Avalanche host the Wild in a Central Division clash. The Sabres and Jack Eichel visit the Canucks for the night cap.

IceHogs: Idle

Central Division: NSH at BOS, MIN at COL

Tuesday - Predators at Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m. (CSN-C)

The Blackhawks host the Predators, who will be on the second leg of a back-to-back. It's a rematch of last spring's first round, which saw Scott Darling emerge as an NHL-caliber goaltender. Can Patrick Kane extend his point streak to 23 games?

The Capitals host the Red Wings in a game televised on NBCSN. There are two other Central teams in action: the Blues host the Coyotes, while the Hurricanes are in Dallas. A late night affair in Calgary between the Sharks and Flames should be interesting game, too.

IceHogs: Rockford visits the Texas Stars at 7:30 p.m.

Central Division: ARI at STL, CAR at DAL

Wednesday - Off day

A day off for the Hawks and their next opponent. There are only four games, but there's a double-header on NBCSN with the Bruins in Montreal for an Original Six matchup and the Penguins in Colorado. The Oilers host the Sharks for a Pacific showdown, while Alain Vigneault visits his old team in Vancouver.

IceHogs: Idle

Central Division: PITT at COL

Thursday - Blackhawks at Predators, 7 p.m. (CSN-C)

Oh, you again. The Hawks travel to Music City to play the second half of a home-and-home against the Predators. The Hawks next opponent, the Jets, will also be in action against Columbus in Winnipeg.

Elsewhere on the schedule, there's an entertaining game with the Habs in Detroit. The Sabres visit the Flames in a game that will feature a bunch of young talent.

IceHogs: Idle

Steel: Chicago hosts the Youngstown Phantoms at 7 p.m. It's Star Wars night.

Central Division: PHI at STL, CBJ at WPG

Friday - Jets at Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m. (CSN-C)

The Hawks head back home to host the Jets for the second half of a back-to-back. If they're going to play a back-to-back split on the road and at home, this is probably one of easiest ones based on travel. Two central teams are in action: Patrick Sharp plays his old team when the Stars host Philadelphia and the Wild visit Arizona.

Elsewhere, there's a must-see game with the Kings visit the Igloo in Pittsburgh in a matchup some deemed a Stanley Cup Final possibility.

IceHogs: Rockford hosts the Iowa Wild at 7 p.m.

Steel: Chicago visits the Cedar Rapids Roughriders at 7 p.m.

Central Division: PHI at DAL, MIN at ARI

Saturday - Off day

A busy day for the NHL but not for the Hawks, who will rest up before their next game. The Capitals visit Tampa Bay in what promises to be an high-paced offensive game. There are two Central Division games with the Stars in St. Louis and the Avalanche in Nashville. The Habs host the Senators in a rivalry game.

IceHogs: Rockford hosts the Grand Rapids Griffins at 7 p.m.

Steel: Chicago hosts Green Bay Gamblers at 7 p.m. It's a Teddy bear toss night.

Central Division: DAL at STL, COL at NSH, MIN at SJS

Sunday - Canucks at Blackhawks, 6 p.m. (WGN, NHLN-US)

The week concludes as the Hawks host Vancouver. The Canucks are currently nine points back of L.A. for the Pacific Division lead, but only two points separate them from second-place San Jose.

There are only two other games on the schedule with the Avs in St. Louis and the Devils in Brooklyn to face the Islanders.

IceHogs: Idle

Central Division: COL at STL