The Pittsburgh Penguins navigated a six-hour time difference during their NHL Global Series trip to Stockholm, employing strategic planning to help players acclimate quickly. The team earned three out of four points in two games while relying on support from their medical and performance staff. Director of Performance Rich Rotenberg highlighted the importance of activity, meal timing, and resources to minimize jet lag effects.
The Pittsburgh Penguins' journey to Stockholm for the NHL Global Series presented challenges with a six-hour time difference ahead of Pittsburgh. According to the general rule, adjustment takes about a day per hour, so players aimed to feel normal by day six or seven. "By day six, you're feeling normal. Well, day seven, we're gone," said Penguins Director of Performance Rich Rotenberg.
The team departed Pittsburgh on Monday, November 10, at 9 PM for an overnight flight. Upon arrival, they cleared customs, boarded buses, and headed directly to the rink for practice to provide structure and movement after a travel day. Delays pushed the session past 2 PM local time, which inadvertently aligned better with avoiding disruptive naps. "The key is, when you get to your destination, to expose yourself as quickly as possible to your new time," Rotenberg explained, emphasizing daylight exposure, activity, and proper meal timing.
Performance dietician Kourtney Gordon prepared kits for each player, including melatonin supplements, eye masks, earplugs, and blue light blocker glasses to aid sleep on the flight, despite knowing it wouldn't be high quality. Rotenberg praised her comprehensive approach and education on resetting routines. Defenseman Ryan Shea noted the initial difficulty: "I think that was the hardest thing for me, was just getting off the flight, we went to practice, and you were kind of just trying to force your body to open up and get loose."
Shea also described fragmented sleep early on, waking mid-night, but routines improved with skating. The team balanced familiar meals with local Swedish cuisine, which Shea found fresh and enjoyable. From Thursday to Sunday, the schedule was packed with two practices, two games, media, and community events. The Penguins secured three of four points in those games.
They departed immediately after the Sunday 3 PM puck drop, landing after 11 PM Eastern time—equivalent to 5 AM in Sweden. Staff advised against sleeping on the return flight to promote nighttime rest at home. Anecdotes from the flight included players watching movies like Gladiator, recommended by Erik Karlsson and Sidney Crosby.
Back in Pittsburgh, Tuesday featured an optional low-intensity practice to ease reacclimation, with focus on recovery ahead of back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday. Head Coach Dan Muse commended the support staff's role throughout the season.