The Chicago Blackhawks hit the road for seven of their next 11 games starting Tuesday against the Nashville Predators. Chicago has a chance to set a new franchise record win streak at 12 games with a win. It is the first of four games this week for Chicago, who visit the Sunshine state for a back-to-back against the Lightning and Panthers on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Chicago caps the week Sunday with a Central Division matchup against the St. Louis Blues.
Let’s take a look at the upcoming week in Blackhawks’ hockey (all times Central):
Monday – Off day
There are five games on the schedule highlighted by Pittsburgh visiting St. Louis on NBCSN. Arizona and Buffalo face off with plenty of young talent like Max Domi and Jack Eichel, while Colorado visits Winnipeg. Florida hosts Edmonton, whole Ottawa takes to the Shark Tank for a late-night affair.
IceHogs: Rockford hosts Lake Erie, 1 p.m.
Central Division: PIT at STL, COL at WPG
Tuesday – Blackhawks at Predators, 7 p.m. (NBCSN, CSN-C)
The Hawks travel to United Center South to face the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. A win would tie Chicago with Florida for the longest win streak this season. The Hawks won both meetings so far this season, most recently Jan. 12 when coach Joel Quenneville tied the late Al Arbour for second all-time in coaching wins. However, the Predators have won 5-1 at home Dec. 10.
Elsewhere, the Habs host the Bruins in an Original Six matchup and Toronto visits Philadelphia in two physical match ups. The Lightning, who the Hawks play Thursday, will hosts Edmonton.
IceHogs: Idle
Central Division: DAL at LAK
Wednesday – Off day
There are three games on the schedule and all of them feature Central Division teams. The St. Louis Blues travel to Detroit renew an old rivalry on NBCSN before Anaheim hosts Minnesota in the NBCSN nightcap. Colorado also hosts Buffalo.
IceHogs: Idle
Central Division: STL at DET, BUF at COL, MIN at ANA
Thursday – Blackhawks at Lightning, 6:30 p.m. (CSN-C)
The Blackhawks return to Amalie Arena for the first time since winning Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. Tampa Bay enters Monday with five straight wins and has moved into third place in the Atlantic Division. In the first meeting between the teams, Corey Crawford earned his second straight shutout over Tampa Bay with a 1-0 victory aided by Jonathan Toews’ overtime goal at United Center.
Elsewhere, the Battle for the Keystone State hits Pittsburgh and a 2011 Stanley Cup rematch takes center stage in Boston. San Jose visits Arizona for a matchup against two teams that could fight it out for the third playoff spot in the Pacific Division.
IceHogs: Idle
Central Division: NSH at WPG, EDM at DAL, MIN at LAK
Friday – Blackhawks at Panthers, 6 p.m. (CSN-C)
The Hawks complete the back-to-back against the Panthers at BT&T Center in Sunrise, Fla. The Panthers’ 12-game win streak lifted them into first place in the Atlantic Division, but they’ve dropped two straight since then. Scott Darling figures to get the start in this one. Darling has three straight wins, allowing five goals with a .935 save percentage.
Around the league, Anaheim visits Washington in a game shown on NHL Network, while the Staal brothers clash in Carolina. Colorado also hosts the Blues.
IceHogs: Rockford hosts Iowa, 7 p.m.
Central Division: STL at COL
Saturday – Off day
The Hawks are off, but there are 11 games on the schedule for your viewing pleasure. Vancouver drops the puck on the day with an 11:30 a.m. start in Pittsburgh, followed by Minnesota in San Jose for the afternoon game. Montreal visits Toronto in a game shown on NHL Network, while the Battle for the Sunshine State is played in Sunrise, Fla.
IceHogs: Rockford hosts Iowa, 7 p.m.
Central Division: MIN at SJ, NJ at WPG, COL at DAL, NSH at EDM
Sunday – Blues at Blackhawks, 6 p.m. (NHLN-US, WGN)
The lone home game before the All-Star Game break features St. Louis at United Center. The Blues rallied for a 5-2 deficit with three second-period goals to win the season series opener in Chicago. The Hawks returned the favor in the next game, rallying for a 4-2 victory.
Elsewhere, the Penguins visit the Capitals to kickoff NBC’s Sunday coverage. The Senators hosts the Rangers, while the Flames visit the Hurricanes and the Sharks host the Kings.
IceHogs: Idle
Central Division: Idle