Blackhawks week ahead: Chicago heads to New York

The Chicago Blackhawks have a four games this week with a trip to New York before a weekend back-to-back at home. Chicago travels to the Big Apple to close out the season series against the Rangers on Tuesday then they visit the Islanders on Thursday. The Hawks head back to the Midwest to face the two teams that made it to the Western Conference Final last spring. They’ll visit Central Division rival St. Louis on Saturday and host San Jose on Sunday.

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

Monday - Off Day

There are only two games on the schedule, and not surprisingly an Original Six matchup between Boston and Montreal will be televised on NHL Network. The other game will feature the defending Stanley Cup champions hosting Arizona.

IceHogs: Idle

Central Division: Idle

Around the NHL: ARI at PITT, BOS at MTL

Tuesday - Blackhawks at Rangers, 6 p.m. (NBCSN, CSN)

The Blackhawks look to split the season series against the Rangers. New York took the first game of the series last week in a goaltender showdown that didn’t feature Corey Crawford or Henrik Lundqvist. Antti Raanta made 26 saves and Nick Holden scored 55 seconds into overtime for a 1-0 Rangers win.

IceHogs: Idle

Central Division: STL at NSH, FLA at MINN, ANA at DAL

Around the NHL: LAK at BUF, WSH at NYI, VAN at CAR, SJ at TOR, ARI at DET, CBJ at EDM

Wednesday - Off Day

A four-game slate is set for Wednesday with a NBCSN doubleheader. The Bruins visit the Penguins in the early matchup before the struggling Avalanche return home to face the red-hot Flyers.

IceHogs: Idle

Central Division: PHI at COL

Around the NHL: SJ at OTT, BOS at PITT, TB at CGY

Thursday - Blackhawks at Islanders, 6 p.m. (CSN)

The Blackhawks look for another season sweep when they visit the New York Islanders. Chicago outscored the Islanders 7-3 in a back-to-back at the start of last season. Patrick Kane led the Hawks with three goals, including the overtime winner, and two assists while Artemi Panarin had a goal and two assists during the series.

IceHogs: Idle

Central Division: NJ at STL, MINN at NSH, FLA at WPG, NYR at DAL

Around the NHL: ANA at BOS, ARI at TOR, LAK at DET

Friday - Off Day

A seven-game schedule is highlighted by the Kings in Pittsburgh on NBCSN. The other notable game faces two of the hottest teams in the league with the Blue Jackets in Calgary.

IceHogs: Idle

Central Division: FLA at COL

Around the NHL: NYI at BUF, LAK at PITT, SJ at MTL, WSH at CAR, CBJ at CGY, TB at VAN

Saturday - Blackhawks at Blues, 7 p.m. (CSN)

It’s the third of five meetings between the Blackhawks and Blues. The season series is tied 1-1 with the Hawks taking the last meeting 2-1 in overtime by an Artemi Panarin goal.

IceHogs: Rockford vs. Manitoba (Jets), 6 p.m.

Central Division: ARI at MINN, NYR at NSH

Around the NHL: PHI at DAL, PIT at TOR, NJ at OTT, ANA at DET, MTL at WSH, BUF at CAR, TB at EDM

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

The Hawks host the Sharks in the second half of the home back-to-back. Chicago dropped the first of three meetings against the Sharks this season, 2-1 on Nov. 23 in San Jose on the Circus Trip. Logan Couture and Joel Ward each scored in the first period and Martin Jones made 33 saves in the win.

IceHogs: Rockford vs. Chicago (Blues), 3 p.m.

Central Division: COL at WPG

Around the NHL: LAK at BOS, CBJ at VAN, OTT at NYI, NJ at NYR