Brandon Saad returns to the United Center on Saturday for the first time since being traded to the Blue Jackets.
Let’s take a look at the upcoming week in Blackhawks’ hockey:
Monday – Columbus Day scouting
The Hawks remain idle, but their Wednesday opponent, the Flyers, will be at home playing the Panthers.
Winnipeg is the lone Central Division foe in action. They take on the Islanders for a matinee at Barclays Center. The only nationally televised game is the Panthers at the Flyers, who dropped a 7-1 decision in the first half of the home-and-home series. Puck drop is 6 p.m. CT on NHLN-US.
Tuesday – Central time
Every team except the Wild and Hawks are on the schedule for Tuesday. Central Division action: Predators at Devils, Jets at Rangers, Oilers at Stars and Blues at Flames. The Stars hosting Connor McDavid and the Oilers looks to be the most entertaining matchup. The Red Wings also host the Tampa Bay Lightning, who eliminated in last season’s playoffs.
Wednesday – Blackhawks at Flyers
After three days off, the Blackhawks hit the ice in Philadelphia against the Flyers. It never gets old seeing them play in the city of Brotherly Love as it brings back memories of that warm June 9 night in 2010 when they won the Cup for the first time since 1961. The Flyers have already held a players meeting this season after a 7-1 thrashing by the Panthers.
Central Division action: Bruins at Avalanche.
Thursday – Blackhawks at Capitals
Blackhawks visit the Capitals and perennial Hart and Art Ross Trophy candidate Alexander Ovechkin in the nation’s capital. Both teams feature a strong Russian delegation. Ovechkin is the top Russian player in the NHL, while Chicago boasts the top upcoming Russian in Artemi Panarin.
Central Division action: Preadators at Islanders, Stars at Lightning, Blues at Oilers and Wild at Coyotes.
Friday – White House day?
The Hawks should make their way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to visit the White House with the Stanley Cup.
Central Division action: Flames at Jets, Blues at Canucks, Avalanche at Ducks and Wild and Kings.
Saturday – Blue Jackets at Blackhawks
Brandon Saad returns to the United Center for the first time in a Columbus sweater. The Hawks will play a video montage with highlights of Saad’s time in Chicago before the United Center gives him a standing ovation. It’ll also be the first time Artem Anisimov will play against his old club, and maybe even Marko Dano if he’s called up from Rockford. Tune into this game as it’s the last Hawks game until Oct. 22.
The IceHogs return to the ice after a week off when they host the Texas Stars at 7 p.m. It’ll be the first game with Stephen Johns in a Stars sweater.
Central Division action: Predators at Senators and Stars at Panthers.
Sunday – Go to Rockford
The Hawks are idle for Sunday, but the IceHogs won’t be.The IceHogs host Texas at 4 p.m. at the Orange Box. In NHL action, the Ducks host the Wild in a game televised by NHL-US.
Central Division action: Blues at Jets, Wild at Ducks and Avalanche at Kings.