The Chicago Blackhawks return from the Christmas break with three games: two against Central Division foes and a trip out east. The Hawks host the Jets then visit the Predators and the Hurricanes.
Let’s take a look at the upcoming week in Blackhawks’ hockey (all times Central):
Tuesday – Jets at Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m. (CSN)
The Blackhawks seek their first win of the season against the Jets. Winnipeg has outscored the Hawks 6-1 in two games, including a 4-0 shutout Nov. 15 behind Connor Hellebuyck. The Jets have six separate goal scorers while Nikolaj Ehlers, Paul Postma and former Hawks Dustin Byfuglien and Marko Dano each have two assists. Artemi Panarin scored the Hawks’ lone goal.
Central Division: MINN at NSH, CGY at COL, DAL at ARI
Around the NHL: PITT at NJ, WSH at NYI, OTT at NYR, BOS at CBJ, BUF at DET, SJ at ANA
Wednesday – Off Day
The Flyers in St. Louis is the featured game on NBCSN. Elsewhere, the Florida hosts a pair of intriguing games with the Leafs visiting the Panthers and Montreal in Tampa.
PHI at STL on NBCSN
Central Division: PHI at STL
Around the NHL: TOR at FLA, CAR at PITT, MTL at TB, LA at VAN
Thursday – Blackhawks at Predators, 7 p.m. (CSN)
The Hawks and Predators have split the first two games of the five-game season series with each team winning on home ice. Nashville won 3-2 on Oct. 14 and Chicago poured it on late for a 5-3 win the next night. Pekka Rinne out-dueled Corey Crawford in Nashville’s win while Scott Darling returned the favor the next night in the backup duel against Marek Mazanec.
Richard Panik and Duncan Keith lead the Hawks in the series with three points. Panik scored twice, including the game-winner, and had an assist while Keith had three helpers. Niklas Hjalmarsson and Brent Seabrook each have a goal and an assist. The Preds are led by Ryan Johansen’s three assists while Roman Josi, P.K. Subban and Mike Fisher each have tallied a goal and an assist.
Central Division: NYI at MINN, CBJ at WPG, COL at DAL
Around the NHL: BOS at BUF, NJ at WSH, TOR at TB, MTL at FLA, DET at OTT, ANA at CGY, LA at EDM, NYR at ARI
Friday – Blackhawks at Hurricanes, 6:30 p.m. (WGN)
The Hawks travel to Carolina to wrap up 2016 against the Hurricanes. It’ll be the first game against former Hawk Teuvo Teravainen since the offseason trade.
Central Division: NSH at STL
Around the NHL: ANA at VAN, PHI at SJ
Saturday – Off day
The final day of 2016 has a slew of games. Entering the week, the Blue Jackets and Wild are both on double-digit win streaks and they’ll meet in Minneapolis. There’s also Arizona at Calgary, which features some bright young players on the rise and the Battle of California is in Los Angeles.
Central Division: CBJ at MINN, NYI at WPG, NYR at COL, FLA at DAL
Around the NHL: BUF at BOS, WSH at NJ, CAR at TB, MTL at PITT, ARI at CGY, VAN at EDM, SJ at LA
Sunday – Off day
The NHL opens the 2017 year with the Centennial Classic between the Red Wings and Maple Leafs at BMO Field in Toronto. The Battle of the Capitol Cities will take place state side while the Flyers visit the Ducks.
Central Division: Idle
Around the NHL: DET at TOR, OTT at WSH, PHI at ANA