NHL Game(s) of the Week- Pittsburgh Penguins vs Nashville Predators

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators will face off on November 14 and 16. But instead of PPG Paints or Bridgestone Arena, the puck will drop in Stockholm, Sweden.

For the 15th season, the NHL plays regular-season games outside of the U.S. and Canada.

These two games will be the 17th and 18th times in Sweden, as the NHL returns to Stockholm with just a season break between the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild and Ottawa Senators playing there in 2023.

The Predators will be taking their second international trip in the last few years as they traveled to Czechia in 2022. Nashville swept the San Jose Sharks in their series.

The Global Series is more than just the actual games themselves. They are a way to continue to connect with international fans and audiences and grow the game.

The Global Fan Tour kicks off its first of three days before the game on Friday, November 14. The free event will entail over 20 different activities, special appearances by guests, mascots and even the Stanley Cup, as well as host watch parties for both games.

Global games are always extra special for players who are able to return to their home country to continue playing hockey at its highest level. Nashville has strong ties with Sweden, as Filip Forsberg and Adam Wilsby hail from this week’s stage.

The Penguins have three Swedish players: Filip Hallander, Erik Karlsson and Rickard Rakell. Only Karlsson will be available to play as Rakell and Hallander are currently on IR.

Penguins' Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are returning to the NHL’s international stage as the trio played in the first NHL games in Sweden back in the 2008-09 season.

Nashville is hoping for the trip to be a reset and recovery. They have lost their last five games and are currently 5-9-4. Reminiscent of last year's disappointment, they sit at 30th in the league.

The Predators need both their goaltenders’ performances to improve. Starter Juuse Saros has a .914 Sv% in his career, but has a .892 Sv% and a 3.11 GAA in his 14 games this season. His stats have been declining since 2021, as it seems his age may be catching up to him.

Backup Justus Annunen has yet to win a game, although he has only played in five so far. He has a 3.98 GAA and a .848 Sv%. Annunen only has 57 NHL games under his belt, but has struggled in most of them, with the exception of the 2023-24 season.

Every skater on the Predators except one has at least one goal this season. Swedish star Forsberg leads the team with 14, followed by Ryan O’Reilly with 13. They’re 23rd in the league in goals scored, but tied for last in goals against.

They will also be without their captain, Roman Josi, who is suffering from an upper-body injury. Not only will his play on the ice be missed, but his leadership and presence as well, as he did not travel with the team.

The Penguins have had an unexpectedly good season, currently sitting at 8th in the league and 3rd in the Metropolitan division. They are 9-5-3, but have lost four of their last five games.

Pittsburgh’s crease has been much more secure than Nashville’s, but they are currently dealing with some injuries. Tristian Jarry is out with a lower-body injury and Joel Blomqvist is also on injured reserve.

Sergei Murashov was called up from their AHL affiliate to fill the gap while Jarry recovers. Arturs Silvos will shoulder most of the responsibility, with his .916 Sv% and 2.49 GAA.

Unsurprisingly, Crosby and Malkin have been leading the charge for the Penguins. Malkin leads the team with 21 points, followed closely by Crosby’s 20.

The Penguins are eighth in goals for and tied for 12th in goals against. However, they’ve struggled a bit in November, only winning one of their five games so far.

Both teams are looking to sweep in Sweden and use this trip as a reset to get back on track.

Jenny Karamus is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email jrk6308@psu.edu.