The Chicago Blackhawks play three of four games this week at home. The Hawks drop the puck on the season series against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday before hosting the Oilers on Thursday. Chicago hits the road to Patrick Kane’s hometown of Buffalo to play the Sabres on Saturday then heading back home to play the Sharks.
Let’s take a look at the upcoming week in Blackhawks’ hockey (all times Central):
Monday – Off day
Quiet the heavy schedule for a Monday with five games. The Capitals faceoff with the Penguins at the Igloo in a game shown on NHL Network. The only two Western Conference teams in action are the Edmonton Oilers visiting the Boston Bruins and the Los Angeles Kings in Ottawa to face the Senators.
IceHogs: Idle
Central Division: Idle
Tuesday – Avalanche at Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN, CSN-C)
The Blackhawks drop the puck on the season series against the Avalanche at United Center. Chicago went 2-3 against the Avs last season, including dropping the last three games by a combined score of 9-3. The Hawks also close out the year on New Year’s Eve in Colorado.
Every team in the Central Division is in action with the Blues in Winnipeg as the only divisional matchup. The Predators and Wild both host Pacific teams (Flames and Canucks), while the Stars host the Blue Jackets. Steven Stamkos and the Lightning will also be in Toronto to play the Maple Leafs, which will feature plenty of trade rumors on commentary.
IceHogs: Idle
Central Division: CGY at NSH, VAN at MIN, STL at WPG, COL at DAL
Wednesday – Off day
A light day on the schedule with only two games. The battle for capital city supremacy is on the line when the Senators visit the Capitals, while the Bruins host the Penguins for NBCSN’s “Rivalry Night.”
IceHogs: Idle
Central Division: Idle
Thursday – Oilers at Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m. (CSN-C)
Taylor Hall and the Edmonton Oilers come to town for the third and final meeting this season. The Hawks are 2-0 this season with a 4-2 win on Nov. 8 in Chicago and a 4-3 win in overtime on No. 18 in Edmonton.
Elsewhere on the schedule, the Predators visit the Blues for the only divisional matchup. The Habs host the Kings and the Rangers visit the Wild in two games featuring perennial playoff teams.
IceHogs: Idle
Central Division: NSH at STL, NYR at MIN, CGY at DAL, NYI at COL
Friday – Off day
The Bolts are in Washington, D.C. to play the Capitals in what promises to be a high-pace affair. Across the border, the Senators host the Sharks with both teams hovering in the middle of their divisions. Both teams seem to have the right pieces to make a push in the spring for a playoff spot.
The only Central Division team in action is the Jets as they host the Rangers.
IceHogs: Rockford visits the Milwaukee Admirals at 7 p.m.
Steel: Chicago travels to Green Bay to play the Gamblers at 7:05 p.m.
Central Division: NYR at WPG
Saturday – Blackhawks at Sabres, Noon (WGN)
Have plans Saturday night, but don’t want to miss the Hawks? No problem as they visit the Sabres for a matinee. It will be the first of two games between the teams, and the first time Patrick Kane has played in his hometown since the offseason investigation. It’s also the first time the Hawks will see wonder boy Jack Eichel.
Every Central Division team is in action sans the Jets. The Predators host the Wild, while the Blues and Stars host playoff teams from a season ago. The Stars game against the Habs will be shown on NHLN-US.
IceHogs: Rockford visits the Chicago Wolves at 7 p.m.
Steel: Chicago heads south to play the Bloomington Thunder at 7 p.m.
Central Division: CGY at STL, MTL at DAL, MINN at NSH, EDM at COL
Sunday – Sharks at Blackhawks, 6 p.m. (CSN-C)
The week concludes as the Hawks host San Jose. It’s the second straight week the Hawks end a week against a Pacific Division opponent. The Hawks won the first meeting this season, 5-2, on their Circus Trip.
The Devils visit the Bruins in a physical matchup, while the Eastern Conference semifinal rematch between the Capitals and Rangers takes center stage on NHLN-US.
IceHogs: Idle
Central Division: Idle