NHL Western Conference scramble
Here’s a schedule breakdown for the Blackhawks and the seven other teams they are competing with in the Western Conference playoff chase:
Anaheim
Games remaining: 10
How it looks: The Ducks play six games on the road, including five of the next six. They start a key three-game road trip Wednesday in Dallas that also stops in Nashville and Chicago (Saturday).
Blackhawks
Games remaining: 10
How it looks: The Hawks play five at home and five on the road. They still must play Detroit three times and at Boston and Montreal. The Hawks’ last two games are against the Red Wings.
Calgary
Games remaining: 7
How it looks: Four of the Flames’ last seven games are on the road, but they do play Edmonton twice, St. Louis and Colorado — the West’s three worst teams.
Dallas
Games remaining: 10
How it looks: The Stars’ seven road games include a five-game trip to Nashville, Phoenix, San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim. They do finish with Columbus, Colorado, Colorado and Minnesota.
Los Angeles
Games remaining: 9
How it looks: The Kings play five at home but have a tough finishing kick with games against Vancouver, Dallas, San Jose, Phoenix, Anaheim and Anaheim.
Nashville
Games remaining: 9
How it looks: The Predators have a great schedule with seven of the last nine at home with their only road games at Colorado and St. Louis. They finish with Atlanta, Columbus and St. Louis.
Phoenix
Games remaining: 8
How it looks: The Coyotes have six of the last eight at home but have a tough finishing kick with Los Angeles and a home-and-home with San Jose.
San Jose
Games remaining: 9
How it looks: The Sharks have five more home games but must play twice still at Phoenix. They also have two games against both Los Angeles and Anaheim.
— Tim Sassone