With the calendar turned to the regular season’s final month, the Predators’ week ahead features three on the road with just one home game mixed in, and that one is a tough divisional foe.

First Period

Saturday, April 6, at New York Islanders and Sunday, April 7, at New Jersey Devils

A quick back-to-back set in Metropolitan New York opens the last six regular season games on the schedule. Historically, the Predators have loved to see the Islanders on the schedule. Since Nashville entered the NHL in 1998, they hold a 23-8-3 record and a .721 points percentage earned against the Islanders that includes a mid-January win at Bridgestone Arena this season in the only meeting between the teams to date.

As far as back-to-backs go, the travel strain on this one is about as good as it gets for a road team with New Jersey being a quick bus ride away from Long Island. The Predators have enjoyed playing the Devils almost as much as the Islanders, going 20-10-6 with a .639 points percentage against New Jersey. The Devils did deal the Predators a 4-2 loss in mid-February, just before the Predators going on their hot streak.

Both the Islanders and Devils are on the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture and will struggle to climb over the teams in front of them to reach the postseason, but both will be desperate for points when they face the Predators.

Look for Juuse Saros and Kevin Lankinen to split the back-to-back set in goal for the Predators.

Second Period

Tuesday, April 9 vs. Winnipeg Jets

The Predators still have a mathematical chance of catching the Jets for third place in the Central Division, so this game could have some playoff positioning attached to the result, a potential four-point swing in the standings.

In three meetings with the Jets this season, the Predators are 2-1, splitting a pair of November games and downing the Jets 4-2 March 13 in Winnipeg.

Historically games between the Predators and Jets have been rough and tumble affairs, filled with penalty minutes, so with playoff positioning on the line in this one, more of the same can be expected.

Third Period

Friday, April 12 at Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks have long since been eliminated from playoff contention, so all they have to play for is the role of spoiler to teams fighting for a postseason spot.

After winning the first three games against the Blackhawks this season, the Predators will look to sweep the season series in this game. Chicago’s star is Connor Bedard, who the Blackhawks took with the first overall selection in June’s entry draft at Bridgestone Arena.