Penguins Prepare for Second International Series in Crosby's Era
The Penguins' upcoming game against the Nashville Predators at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, marks a significant milestone. It's the fifth time the franchise has ventured overseas for a regular-season game, and the third time Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang will take to the ice in Sweden. This international series holds a special place in Penguins' history, as it brings back memories of their previous overseas trip in October 2008.
On October 4, 2008, the Penguins faced the Ottawa Senators in a thrilling overtime match. Tyler Kennedy got the scoring started just 40 seconds into the game, but the Senators tied it up. Malkin responded with a shorthanded goal early in the second period, only for Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza to turn the tide with two goals in six minutes. Crosby then assisted Rob Scuderi to tie the game in the third period, setting the stage for overtime. Marc-Andre Fleury's efforts pushed the game into extra time, where Kennedy scored the winning goal 4:35 in.
The following day, October 5, 2008, the series continued with a less exciting match. After a scoreless first period, Dany Heatley scored two power-play goals, putting the Senators ahead. Alex Auld, the Senators' goaltender, kept the Penguins off the board until the final seconds, when Alex Goligoski scored a last-second power-play goal with Crosby and Malkin's assistance.
The Penguins' international regular-season debut was even more historic, as Jaromir Jagr and the team traveled to Japan for a two-game series against the Predators. This game set the stage for the upcoming Global Series, where the Penguins will look to get back on track after a recent 1-3-1 stretch. The series will be broadcast on NHL Network, Sportsnet, Fanduel Sports Network South, and SportsNetPittsburgh, with the first game starting at 2 p.m. ET on Friday. The East Coast puck drop will take place two days later at 9 a.m. ET on Sunday, marking the earliest start time of the season.
