THE WEEK AHEAD

Today, at Nashville, 5 p.m., Fox Sports Net 2 -- The Ducks are playing out the string, and the Predators are scraping for a playoff spot. Who could have predicted that in September?

Thursday, at St. Louis, 5 p.m., Fox Sports Net 2 -- Another night when the Ducks can be a factor in the playoff race. The Blues won in overtime the last time the two teams played at the Savvis Center.

Friday, at Columbus, 4 p.m. -- Rick Nash has 38 goals, nearly one-fourth of the Blue Jackets’ total this season.

Sunday, at Minnesota, 1 p.m., ESPN -- A rematch of last season’s Western Conference finals. This game looked good to ESPN last summer.

-- Chris Foster