Penguins vs Predators 2025 Stockholm Global Series Preview

The NHL makes its highly anticipated return to Stockholm for the 2025 Global Series, bringing two storied franchises to the historic Avicii Arena. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators will square off in a matchup that carries significant weight for both teams seeking to establish momentum in the early season. With the Penguins holding a 9-5-3 record and the Predators struggling at 5-9-4, this international showcase presents an opportunity for Nashville to turn their season around while Pittsburgh looks to build on their solid start.

Both teams arrive in Sweden dealing with injury concerns and lineup adjustments that will shape the dynamics of this contest. The Penguins haven’t played outside North America since their 2008 appearance in Stockholm against the Ottawa Senators, making this a milestone moment for the franchise. Meanwhile, the Predators are coming off their 2022 Prague experience and will deploy an unconventional 11-forward, 7-defenseman configuration to compensate for key absences on their blue line.

Penguins vs Predators 2025 Stockholm projected lineup: Pittsburgh’s forward configurations

The Penguins’ forward group remains anchored by their legendary center duo, with Sidney Crosby centering the top line flanked by Bryan Rust and Ben Kindel. Kindel’s inclusion on the first line represents a significant opportunity for the young forward, who has been making waves as a potential Calder Trophy contender this season. His chemistry with Crosby has been developing steadily, and the international stage provides another platform to showcase his emerging talents.

Evgeni Malkin takes his familiar spot as the second-line center, with Tommy Novak and Anthony Mantha providing complementary scoring options. This trio has shown flashes of offensive potential throughout the early season, though consistency remains a work in progress. The NHL Global Series Sweden 2025: Penguins vs Predators in Stockholm represents a prime opportunity for this unit to find its rhythm on a neutral-ice setting.

Philip Tomasino returns to the lineup after serving as a healthy scratch for the past two games, slotting in alongside Kevin Hayes and Ville Koivunen on the third line. Tomasino’s insertion back into the lineup demonstrates head coach Mike Sullivan’s desire to inject more offensive creativity into the middle-six forward group. Hayes continues to provide veteran stability while Koivunen adds youth and speed to this balanced combination.

The fourth line features Joona Koppanen, Blake Lizotte, and Connor Dewar, a defensively responsible unit tasked with energy shifts and penalty-killing duties. This group may not generate significant offensive numbers, but their importance to Pittsburgh’s overall structure cannot be understated. With multiple forwards on the injury list, including Rickard Rakell, Rutger McGroarty, and Noel Acciari, depth pieces like these become even more crucial.

The absence of Danton Heinen from the lineup represents a notable decision, as the versatile forward finds himself as a healthy scratch. These lineup decisions often prove temporary, but for this Stockholm showdown, Sullivan has opted for what he believes gives the Penguins their best chance to succeed. The injury to Rickard Rakell, who underwent hand surgery, removes one of Pittsburgh’s most consistent contributors and forces the coaching staff to shuffle line combinations.

Penguins vs Predators 2025 Stockholm projected lineup: Pittsburgh’s defensive pairings

Erik Karlsson and Parker Wotherspoon form Pittsburgh’s top defensive pairing, an interesting combination that pairs the offensive-minded Karlsson with the more defensively responsible Wotherspoon. Karlsson remains one of the league’s most dynamic puck-movers from the back end, capable of quarterbacking power plays and generating offense from the blue line. His familiarity with playing in Sweden adds an emotional element to this matchup, as he returns to his home country wearing the Penguins’ colors.

The second pairing features captain Kris Letang alongside Ryan Shea, providing another blend of veteran experience and developing talent. Letang’s leadership and two-way capabilities make him invaluable to Pittsburgh’s defensive structure, even as he enters the latter stages of his illustrious career. Shea continues to gain valuable NHL experience, learning from one of the game’s premier defensemen on a nightly basis.

Ryan Graves and Mathew Dumba comprise the third pairing, with Dumba making his return to the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the previous five games. This decision to reinsert Dumba at the expense of Connor Clifton suggests the coaching staff wants to utilize Dumba’s physicality and right-handed shot against Nashville’s forward group. Graves provides a steady, stay-at-home presence that complements Dumba’s more aggressive tendencies.

The healthy scratches of Clifton and Harrison Brunicke indicate Pittsburgh’s current preference for their defensive depth chart. With Caleb Jones dealing with a lower-body injury, the team’s defensive options become slightly limited, making Dumba’s return all the more significant. The absence of Tristan Jarry due to injury impacts the goaltending situation significantly, though the team has adjusted to his absence.

Penguins vs Predators 2025 Stockholm projected lineup: Nashville’s forward deployment

The Predators’ top line features a formidable combination of Filip Forsberg, Ryan O’Reilly, and Luke Evangelista. Forsberg continues to be Nashville’s most dangerous offensive weapon, capable of taking over games with his elite shooting ability and playmaking vision. O’Reilly provides two-way excellence and faceoff proficiency, while Evangelista represents the next generation of Predators talent emerging in the lineup.

Steven Stamkos centers the second line between Erik Haula and Jonathan Marchessault, creating a unit loaded with offensive firepower and Stanley Cup-winning experience. Stamkos’ arrival in Nashville via free agency generated significant buzz, and expectations remain high despite the team’s early-season struggles. This line carries the responsibility of providing secondary scoring to support the top unit while facing quality competition.

Michael Bunting, Fedor Svechkov, and Matthew Wood form the third line, mixing grit with developing skill. Svechkov’s continued development represents an important storyline for Nashville’s long-term plans, as the young center gains valuable experience in various situations. Wood adds size and scoring potential, while Bunting brings playoff experience and net-front presence to the equation.

The decision to deploy only 11 forwards creates a unique dynamic for Nashville’s bottom-six configuration. Michael McCarron and Ozzy Wiesblatt will form a shortened fourth line, requiring Nashville’s top three lines to absorb additional ice time throughout the contest. This strategy places greater importance on line management and could either exhaust the top players or create more opportunities for star performers to shine.

Notable absences include Zachary L’Heureux, who is dealing with a lower-body injury, and Cole Smith, sidelined with an upper-body issue. Tyson Jost finds himself as a healthy scratch, suggesting the coaching staff’s current preference for other forward options. These lineup decisions reflect head coach Andrew Brunette’s attempts to find winning combinations during Nashville’s challenging start to the campaign.

Penguins vs Predators 2025 Stockholm projected lineup: Nashville’s blue line structure

Nashville’s defensive corps faces significant adversity with captain Roman Josi sidelined due to an upper-body injury. Josi’s absence removes the team’s most important defenseman and forces a complete reshuffling of defensive responsibilities. Brady Skjei assumes top-pairing duties alongside Nick Perbix, a pairing that will face Pittsburgh’s best forwards throughout the evening. Skjei’s status had been uncertain after missing practice due to illness, but he’s expected to suit up for this crucial international showcase.

Nicolas Hague and Nick Blankenburg form the second pairing, providing a size advantage with Hague’s 6-foot-6 frame. Blankenburg offers mobility and quick transition skills to complement Hague’s physical presence. This combination will be tasked with shutting down Pittsburgh’s middle-six forwards while contributing to Nashville’s breakout game.

Spencer Stastney and Adam Wilsby round out the defensive pairings, with Justin Barron serving as the seventh defenseman in Nashville’s unconventional lineup structure. This 11-forward, 7-defenseman approach allows Nashville flexibility in managing minutes and provides insurance against potential injury during the game. Barron’s versatility gives Brunette options to adjust pairings on the fly or insert fresh legs into the rotation as needed.

The depth chart shows Joakim Kemmel among the scratches, indicating the team’s current preferences for their defensive rotation. Without Josi’s elite puck-moving abilities, the Predators will need collective contributions from their entire blue line to generate offense and defend effectively. The injury situation forces players like Stastney and Wilsby into expanded roles, testing Nashville’s organizational depth.

Penguins vs Predators 2025 Stockholm projected lineup: Goaltending matchup considerations

Arturs Silovs is expected to start in goal for Pittsburgh, with Sergei Murashov serving as the backup. The absence of Tristan Jarry due to a lower-body injury has thrust Silovs into a more prominent role than initially anticipated. Silovs brings NHL experience and has shown the capability to handle starting duties when called upon. His performance in Stockholm could prove crucial to Pittsburgh’s success, as goaltending often becomes magnified in international settings with different ice dimensions and playing styles.

Filip Larsson remains scratched as the extra goaltender, maintaining his position on the depth chart while the team navigates Jarry’s injury situation. The Penguins’ goaltending depth has been tested throughout the early portion of the season, making every performance from their available netminders increasingly important. Silovs will need to be sharp against a Nashville team desperate for victories to salvage their season.

For Nashville, Juuse Saros represents their most valuable asset between the pipes. The Finnish netminder has consistently been among the league’s elite goaltenders, and his performance will be critical if the Predators hope to emerge victorious. Saros faces additional pressure knowing his team’s defensive corps is significantly weakened without Josi patrolling the blue line. Justus Annunen provides capable backup support, ready to step in if needed.

Matt Murray finds himself scratched as Nashville’s third goaltender, continuing his stint outside the active lineup. The veteran netminder’s situation reflects the team’s confidence in their top two options while managing roster flexibility. In the Penguins at Panthers: October 23, 2025 NHL showdown in South Florida earlier this season, goaltending proved decisive, and similar expectations exist for this Stockholm encounter.

Key factors shaping the Penguins vs Predators 2025 Stockholm projected lineup

Injury management plays a defining role in both teams’ lineup constructions for this international matchup. Pittsburgh’s long list of injured players, including key contributors like Rakell and McGroarty, forces the coaching staff to rely on depth pieces and younger players to fill crucial roles. Nashville’s situation is equally challenging, with Josi’s absence creating a massive void in their defensive structure that cannot be easily replaced.

The return of Mathew Dumba to Pittsburgh’s lineup after five games as a healthy scratch signals a potential shift in the team’s defensive philosophy. Whether this change stems from a desire to add physicality against Nashville’s forwards or represents a longer-term adjustment remains to be seen. Similarly, Philip Tomasino’s reintegration into the forward group after two games in the press box suggests Sullivan’s willingness to make adjustments in pursuit of offensive production.

Nashville’s decision to employ an 11-forward, 7-defenseman configuration represents an interesting tactical approach, particularly in an international setting. This strategy could provide flexibility in managing ice time and matchups, but it also places additional pressure on the top three forward lines to carry the offensive load. The success of this approach will largely depend on whether Nashville’s stars can capitalize on their increased opportunities.

The neutral-ice environment of Stockholm’s Avicii Arena removes home-ice advantage from the equation, creating a more level playing field for both teams. Both franchises will need to adjust to the larger European ice surface, which typically favors speed and skill over physical grinding play. Players with international experience, particularly those familiar with European hockey, may find themselves with slight advantages in this environment.

According to NHL.com’s official preview, both teams recognize the significance of this opportunity to represent the league on an international stage. The spotlight of the Global Series adds extra motivation for players to elevate their performances, potentially creating a more competitive and entertaining contest than a regular-season game might otherwise produce.

The projected lineups for this Stockholm showdown reveal two teams dealing with adversity while embracing the opportunity to showcase NHL hockey to Swedish fans. Pittsburgh’s depth will be tested without several key contributors, while Nashville’s creative roster configuration attempts to compensate for significant defensive absences. Both teams understand that success in this environment requires adaptability and collective effort, as individual absences force others to step into expanded roles. As reported by The Hockey Writers, these lineup decisions reflect each coaching staff’s assessment of their best path to victory under challenging circumstances.

The outcome of this game could provide momentum for the victor while potentially deepening the struggles of the losing side. For Pittsburgh, continuing their solid start and building chemistry despite injuries remains paramount. For Nashville, finding any spark to ignite a turnaround from their disappointing opening month becomes increasingly urgent. The Global Series stage provides both opportunity and pressure, making this more than just another regular-season contest in November.