THE WEEK AHEAD

Tonight, at Nashville, 5 p.m., Fox Sports Net -- The struggling Kings haven’t lost in Nashville since 1999. But they hadn’t lost at home to the Predators for two seasons ... until last Thursday.

Wednesday, at Dallas, 5:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net -- The New York Yankee School of Management seems to work deep in the heart of Texas. The Stars handed out some hefty checks last summer and have the best record in Western Conference.

Saturday, vs. Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net -- Mario Lemieux comes west for the first time since 1996. The Kings didn’t miss him. Lemieux has 59 points in 25 games against them.

Sunday, at Phoenix, 4 p.m. -- It’s tiring enough having to play back-to-back nights, but Kings get thuggish Coyotes in second game. The Coyotes average 18 penalty minutes per game, third most in NHL.

-- Chris Foster