NHL Schedule: Blackhawks, streaking Rangers both appear twice on national TV

Welcome to Top Shelf TV, a preview of the week’s national NHL schedule and television listings. We comb through what’s airing on NBC, NBCSN, and NHL Network to tell you which games are worth your time and which ones to skip.

All NHL fans need a breather after last week’s intercontinental bonanza. The Scheduling Gods have obliged with just four nationally televised games on the NHL schedule, but they’re all quality. Original Six teams, Cup contenders, and divisional rivalries are all words we love to type and matchups we love to see at Puck Prose, and you’ll see them all over this article.

It’s all topped off with a classic revenge game on Saturday, but the action starts tonight in Washington. Let’s get to it.

Tuesday (Nov. 14)

Washington Capitals at Nashville Predators (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT on NBCSN)

Why you should watch: The Predators have won four in a row, including their last two on a California swing and Saturday’s shootout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Capitals come in winners of five in their last six, including a Friday win over the Penguins.

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The Pens are struggling, is what we’re saying.

But we’re also saying that both of these teams are darn good. They each came into this season with the burden of Stanley Cup expectations. They could just kill time until June (or early May, in the Capitals case), but instead, they’re dynamic and exciting.

Nashville just bolstered their line up, adding Kyle Turris to shore up a forward corps that was looking a little thin. He scored in his first game with the Predators.

Skip it if: Don’t. This is a marquee matchup and a potential Cup Final preview.

Verdict: Must watch.