The Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators are set to face off in a two-game set at the 2025 NHL Global Series Sweden, presented by Fastenal, at Avicii Arena in Stockholm. The Penguins enter with a strong 9-5-3 record, while the Predators aim to reset amid a 5-9-4 start and five straight losses. The series begins Friday, November 14, and concludes Sunday, November 16.
The NHL's focus shifts to Stockholm this weekend as the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators prepare for their regular-season matchup in the 2025 NHL Global Series Sweden. Both teams sacrifice home games for the opportunity, marking the 15th international regular-season series for the league. Stockholm will host its 18th NHL regular-season contest after these games, solidifying its place as the most-visited city outside North America.
The Penguins, sitting third in the Metropolitan Division with 21 points through 17 games, rely on veteran leadership. Sidney Crosby leads the team with 11 goals, while Evgeni Malkin tops the scoring chart with 21 points (3 goals, 18 assists). Erik Karlsson, a three-time Norris Trophy winner from nearby Landsbro, returns to his home country, drawing significant attention despite tempered offensive output at age 35. However, forwards Rickard Rakell and Filip Hallander are sidelined; Hallander was diagnosed with a blood clot in his leg last week, ruling him out for at least three months.
In contrast, the Predators arrive desperate for momentum, holding 14 points and mired in a 1-5-3 skid over their last nine games, including five straight losses (0-3-2). They sit eighth in the Western Conference wild-card race, four points behind the Utah Mammoth. Filip Forsberg, the franchise's all-time leading goal scorer from Östervåla, leads Nashville in goals and points through 17 games and will carry the offensive load. Teammate Adam Wilsby, a Stockholm native, has served as the team's tour guide. Coach Andrew Brunette views the trip as a 'breath of fresh air' and potential 'defining moment' for bonding, echoing Steven Stamkos's fond memories of the 2019-20 Lightning's Stockholm visit that preceded a Stanley Cup run.
Brady Skjei emphasized the urgency after a 6-3 loss to the Rangers, stating, 'We need to get back in the win column here very soon.' Forsberg hopes for a 'post-Sweden bump,' particularly on the power play, which ranks tied for 23rd at 17.5 percent despite recent improvements, including three goals over the last two games. Nashville ranks 30th in scoring at 2.56 goals per game but has netted seven in their past two outings.
Upon arrival, players reflected on Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin's indefinite leave for personal reasons following his fiancée's heart transplant. Karlsson said, 'Givetvis något jag själv inte kan sätta mig in och förstå hur han egentligen mår men det kan inte vara lätt. Försöker stötta honom så mycket det går.' Forsberg added, 'Jättetråkigt givetvis. Det enda jag kan säga är att jag önskar han och hans familj allt positivt.'
Beyond the games, the NHL hosts the Global Fan Tour in Kungsträdgården park with skill zones and Stanley Cup photo ops, plus an open practice and concert by Bolaget on Saturday. Games air Friday at 2 p.m. ET and Sunday at 9 a.m. ET.
