Two regular-season games this weekend mark the latest chapter in Sweden’s special relationship with North American hockey, and several Swedish stars will be playing for hometown glory.
Stockholm’s Avicii Arena transforms into an NHL battleground this weekend as the Pittsburgh Penguins face off against the Nashville Predators in the 2025 NHL Global Series Sweden. The two-game series kicks off Friday, November 14 at 8 p.m. CET, with the rematch Sunday, November 16 at 3 p.m. CET.
For hockey fans in both Sweden and the United States, this weekend represents more than just elite hockey coming to Europe. It’s a homecoming for some of the league’s brightest Swedish talent and a reminder of Sweden’s outsized influence on North America’s most beloved winter sport.
The Matchup
The Pittsburgh Penguins, led by legendary captain Sidney Crosby in his 21st NHL season, arrive in Stockholm riding a decent start to their season. Currently sitting third in the Metropolitan Division with a 9-5-3 record, the Penguins are making their first European appearance since 2008. This marks the second time Crosby has played overseas in a Penguins uniform in his illustrious career.
The Nashville Predators, meanwhile, are working to find their footing this season with a 5-8-4 record. But they’re no strangers to international play, having last competed abroad in Prague during the 2022 NHL Global Series against the San Jose Sharks.
Both teams are giving up a home game to make the trip, a sacrifice that speaks to the NHL’s commitment to growing the game globally and honoring one of its most important international markets.
The Swedish Connection
What makes this weekend special isn’t just the caliber of hockey; it’s also who’s wearing the jerseys.
The Penguins roster features three Swedish stars who’ll be playing in front of home-country crowds: defenseman Erik Karlsson, a three-time Norris Trophy winner (2012, 2015, 2023) as the NHL’s best defenseman, and forwards Rickard Rakell and Emil Bemström. Both Karlsson and Rakell represented Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this year. Karlsson made history in 2023 by becoming the first Swedish defenseman to score 100 points in an NHL season.
“I think it becomes a big thing for us,” said Richard Rakell, originally from Sundbyberg, according to NHL Media. “Just to have a chance to play in your home country or play in front of, like, your youth team or old coaches that you had growing up.”
For the Predators, this weekend is particularly meaningful for franchise legend Filip Forsberg, Nashville’s all-time leading goal scorer and a Swedish superstar who’ll be playing on home ice. Joining him are fellow Swedes Andreas Englund and Adam Wilsby, both Stockholm natives.
“This event will be particularly special for Filip Forsberg, who adores his home country, and the other Sweden natives on our team and in our organization,” said Predators CEO Sean Henry.
The rosters also showcase the NHL’s international makeup beyond Scandinavia: Stanley Cup winners Kris Letang (Canada), Evgeni Malkin (Russia), Roman Josi (Switzerland), and Steven Stamkos (Canada) will all take the ice in Stockholm.
Why Stockholm? Why Sweden?
The NHL’s decision to play in Stockholm isn’t arbitrary. It’s strategic and deeply rooted in hockey history.
Sweden currently accounts for 9.7% of all NHL players this season, the highest representation of any country outside North America. Since 1997, when the NHL first began staging regular-season games overseas, Stockholm has hosted more of these contests than any other international city. After this weekend’s two games, that total will reach 18 games. This is more NHL regular-season games than any city outside North America.
“I just think promoting our game anywhere in the world is a good thing for our game and I think it’s a good thing for our players to experience,” said Nashville general manager Barry Trotz. “One of the best teachers is travel, and I think it creates a better understanding for players, like North American players who have never been to Sweden to understand Swedish culture.”
For Sweden, hockey isn’t just a sport – it’s cultural currency. The country has produced generations of NHL legends: from Peter Forsberg and Mats Sundin to Nicklas Lidström and the Sedin twins, to today’s stars like Erik Karlsson and Victor Hedman. The Swedish Hockey League (SHL) is one of Europe’s premier hockey leagues, and Swedish prospects are consistently among the most sought-after in NHL drafts.
Beyond the Rink
The NHL is making a weekend of it with the Global Fan Tour at Kungsträdgården, offering three days of free, family-friendly activities including live screenings of the games on big screens, food, and hockey-related entertainment. The fan zone runs November 14-16, giving Stockholm residents and visitors alike a chance to soak up NHL atmosphere even without arena tickets.
On Saturday, November 15, both teams will hold an open practice at Avicii Arena. A family-friendly event that gives fans of all ages the chance to see the players up close on the ice. Tickets are still available for 230 SEK (including a 10 SEK donation to Barncancerfonden, the Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation).
If you are not in Stockholm
Both games will be nationally televised in the United States on NHL Network and in Canada on Sportsnet. Regional broadcasts will air on FanDuel Sports Network (Nashville) and SportsNet Pittsburgh. In Sweden, catch the games on TV6.
Whether you’re watching from Stockholm, Los Angeles, New York, or anywhere in between, this weekend offers a reminder that hockey, like the best cultural exchanges, flows both ways across the Atlantic.
Game 1: Friday, November 14 at 8 p.m. CET (2 p.m. EST)
Game 2: Sunday, November 16 at 3 p.m. CET (9 a.m. EST)
Venue: Avicii Arena, Stockholm
