A week of games begins with a familiar face wearing an unfamiliar jersey returning to play the Predators as the playoff push for many teams, including the Predators, continues as the number of games remaining approaches single digits.

First Period

Saturday, March 23 vs. Detroit Red Wings

This is a classic trap game for the Predators. Coming off a one-game road trip to Florida to face one of the NHL’s top teams in the Panthers, the Predators return to Bridgestone Arena to face the Red Wings, who are among a group of seven teams battling for the Eastern Conference’s two wild card playoff berths.

The 4 p.m. CDT opening faceoff is challenging since it takes teams out of their normal game day routines. The teams likely won’t hold a morning skate, and eating and game day napping routines will be thrown off accordingly. Road teams usually fare better with nontraditional start times.

Detroit features former Chicago Blackhawk Patrick Kane on its roster, and the longtime Predator nemesis has excelled in his time with the Red Wings since coming back after offseason hip surgery. Kane likely won’t receive a warm welcome from the fans in Nashville, the same ones who delivered resounding boos to him during his introduction at the 2016 All-Star Game held in Nashville.

Second Period

Tuesday, March 26 vs. Vegas Golden Knights

The defending Stanley Cup champion Golden Knights are battling to even return to the playoffs this season. Vegas looks reasonably comfortable to make the postseason, either as the third team in the Pacific Division or one of the two wild card teams. But with teams like Minnesota, St. Louis, Calgary and Seattle still within striking distance, any kind of losing stretch could make things interesting.

Vegas was active at the trade deadline, adding Anthony Mantha, Noah Hanifin and Tomas Hertl. Hertl is still recovering from a February knee surgery and is unlikely to be ready to return to the lineup when the Golden Knights visit Nashville.

Third Period

Thursday, March 28 at Arizona Coyotes

Despite the Coyotes being all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention this season, the Predators have won just one of three matchups between the teams so far.

Visits to the desert are an interesting experience, in that the Coyotes play in Mullett Arena, the home arena of the Arizona State University Sun Devils hockey team. It is the smallest arena used by an NHL team, holding just 5,000 fans for hockey games.

The Coyotes have been searching for a more permanent home in the Phoenix area for years, and all attempts to date have been unsuccessful. Until they do, talks of relocation will continue to swirl around the team.