Stockholm Showdown: Penguins and Predators travel to Sweden – Hockey Writers –
The NHL regular season is essentially a grueling 82-game marathon played primarily in North American rinks and time zones. But this is the 15th time the show has taken it on the road since the league began the tradition. This weekend, the hockey world’s focus shifts from Pittsburgh and Nashville to Stockholm, Sweden, as the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators prepare to compete for four key regular season points in the Swedish leg of the 2025 NHL Global Series presented by Fastenal.
These are not exhibitions in neutral locations. Both clubs have sacrificed home dates for the double-header, which is scheduled to take place on Friday (November 14) and Sunday (November 16) at the recently refurbished Avicii Stadium. For the NHL, this is a strategic move to cement ties with passionate European fans. In fact, Stockholm will solidify its status as the most visited NHL city outside of North America, having hosted 18 regular season games after this weekend.
For both teams involved, however, the trip represents distinct but equally important business.
A tale of two tapes
The Penguins and Predators not only have to cross the Atlantic Ocean; They come from two completely different places in the league table.
The Penguins are 17 games into the season and they are doing what veteran-led Penguins do: win. They landed in Sweden with a record of 9 wins, 5 draws and 3 losses (21 points), firmly sitting in third place in the Metropolitan Division. The old guard is still the vanguard. Evgeni Malkin, 39, played like a man ten years younger, scoring a team-high 21 points (3 goals, 18 assists). Meanwhile, captain Sidney Crosby continues to defy the clock, leading the way with 11 goals. For Pittsburgh, the purpose of this trip is to manage the trip, get two more wins against struggling opponents, and maintain a playoff footing.
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The predators, on the other hand, were desperate.
Nashville was experiencing a brutal decline when it arrived in Stockholm, having won just one of its previous nine games. Their record of 5 wins, 9 draws and 4 losses (14 points) puts them at the bottom of the Western Conference and already ranked eighth in the wild card round. The international trip was viewed internally as a much-needed “reset” — a chance to escape the pressures of domestic America, unite and find a spark 4,000 miles away from home. The challenges are huge. Long flights and time changes can easily complicate a team’s problems, as well as solve them. These two games are nothing new for Nashville; they are potential turning points or anchor points.
Sweden returns
While the team narrative provides competitive drama, the human story is all about homecoming. Both teams have rosters filled with Swedish talent, but two names in particular will be the focus of local fans and media.
For the Penguins, it’s the return of Erik Karlsson. The 35-year-old three-time Norris Trophy winner is a native of nearby Landsborough and remains a legend in his home country. While his offensive numbers aren’t what he was in his prime, his performance on the ice is a major draw.
For the Predators, the spotlight is squarely on Filip Forsberg. The 31-year-old from Ostewara is the team’s all-time top scorer and is again the team’s top goalscorer and scorer in 17 games. Forsberg will serve as the team’s undisputed offensive engine in his home country, shouldering the burden of a team that desperately needs his production.
The Swedish team also includes Predators defender Adam Wilsby, a Stockholm native who has reportedly been serving as the team’s official “tour guide.” Unfortunately, the Penguins’ other Swedish forwards Rickard Rakell (injured reserve) and Filip Hallander (injured) will be spectators. Haaland was diagnosed with a blood clot in his leg last week, and the 25-year-old will miss at least three months before remaining in Pittsburgh.
Not just two games
This weekend marks a full-scale invasion by the NHL, which aims to further develop the Swedish market beyond just two games. The league will host the NHL Global Fan Tour at the city’s famed Kungsträdgården Park, a free three-day event that includes skills zones, player appearances and must-have photos with the Stanley Cup.
On Saturday, fans can attend a family-friendly open practice session at the Avicii Arena before catching a headline concert by Swedish chart-toppers Bolaget in neighboring Hovet. The need was palpable; the initial allotment of game tickets sold out quickly, prompting the league to release an additional batch of tickets.
This is all part of the NHL’s larger long-term strategy. The European push includes the recent opening of a new Alliance office in Zurich, Switzerland, which is aimed at business expansion and “deepening ties,” as the Alliance puts it. It’s about making sure the next Forsberg, Karlsson or Nick Lidstrom is watching.
View from the press box
This isn’t the first time the two teams have required passports to play against each other. Longtime fans may remember that they kicked off the 2000-01 season with two games in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. The stakes feel higher this time.
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The Predators are fighting for their season. Sweeping Stockholm could be the catalyst they need to salvage their start. Two losses, however, would result in a long trip home and a deeper hole to climb out of. The Penguins last played in Stockholm in 2008 and they need to avoid disappointment.
For North American fans, the airtime will be a test of dedication. Friday’s game will tip off at 1pm Central Time (2pm Eastern Time), but Sunday’s finale is a Breakfast Ball special, airing at 8am Central Time (9am Eastern Time).
When the puck drops, the jet lag no longer matters. The novelty will wear off. Two NHL teams will compete for two points at an NHL rink ( flown in from North America ). For the predators, it’s a lifeline. It’s business as usual for the Penguins.
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