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5 Blackhawks games we’re most looking forward to in 2018-19

By Connor Ulrey

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 11: Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins hits Brandon Saad #20 of the Chicago Blackhawks in the third period at the United Center on March 11, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 11: Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins hits Brandon Saad #20 of the Chicago Blackhawks in the third period at the United Center on March 11, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 29: Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) and Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) talk during Game Two of Round Two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators, held on April 29, 2018, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 29: Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) and Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) talk during Game Two of Round Two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators, held on April 29, 2018, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. December 1 at Nashville

These games have new meaning of late. There’s nothing like them. Firsthand, one of the better experiences is a Blackhawks-Predators game in Nashville. The energy is palpable.

It took another level in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs when the Predators finally got the monkey off their back in a complete and total dominant performance sweeping the Blackhawks, the Western Conference favorite.

The Predators went on to go to their first Stanley Cup Final and the buzz continues to grow in the city. It’s hard to argue that the Central gets tougher and tougher every year. Home is important but winning on the road in such a strong division as another meaning in hockey. The Blackhawks can’t help but sneak one out in Nashville along the way.

When talking the matchup with the Blues, the Central comes up a lot. That’s even more evident with the Predators. As the best team in the division the past three years, the road to a potential Cup Final berth runs through Nashville. After a Cup Final run in 2016-17, the Predators followed it up with a President’s Trophy in 2017-18. Think about the fact that the top two teams in the Central also topped the league overall; the Central gets better year after year.

These teams split last year; will we see the same this year?

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