The Pittsburgh Penguins haven’t played since Sunday’s loss against the Kings. Instead, they’ve spent the past few days acclimating themselves to Stockholm, Sweden in advance of their two game series against the Nashville Predators.
It isn’t the Penguins first trip to Sweden for NHL regular season games. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang opened the 2008-09 season in Stockholm against the Ottawa Senators which feels like a lifetime ago, because it was.
Just take a look at the last time they were here
They weren’t even Stanley Cup champions, yet. They’d have to wait until June when they defeated one of the best Swedish players of all-time in Nicklas Lidstrom.
Lidstrom was one of the more popular answers when the Penguins were asked about Swedish players leaving the practice ice
Familiar tour guide
To help navigate the Penguins through their trip Rickard Rakell has taken up the opportunity to play tour guide. He unfortunately is currently out long term and unable to play. This is a great opportunity for him to stay close to the team and feel like a part of the group
Erik Karlsson spoke about the kind of atmosphere he expects for the game in his native country
Shootout games return
The last time the Penguins played in Sweden Dan Bylsma had not yet replaced Michael Therrien as head coach. Bylsma instituted a mustache boy competition that spiced up practicing the shootout. Back in those days the Penguins were one of the most successful shootout teams in the league. Marc-Andre Fleury was a terrific breakaway goalie and then of course you had Crosby and Malkin in the younger twenties.
Coach Dan Muse, at least for one practice, has brought some of the fun back into the shootouts.
I say whatever it takes to start reversing the shootout trend the Penguins have had. Arturs Silovs does have to make more saves. The shooters also need to start scoring more often. If you notice it was Ben Kindel who won the competition. I would have him leading off every shootout as I mentioned the other day. Here’s a little tangible evidence on that being a pretty good idea.
Given the injuries and the team being in a 1-3-1 stretch I think this trip has been well-timed. The players get to let loose a little bit before getting back to business on Friday. It has been a fun and mostly successful start to the season. Having this opportunity during a stretch of poor results is a great way to not have negative feelings linger. I think it should help out and keep attitudes positive.
HB sighting
Former Penguin and Stanley Cup Champion Carl Hagelin currently resides outside of Stockholm. He didn’t pass up the opportunity to visit with old friends. Including his former center of the legendary HBK line
Penguins and Predators at 2PM EST tomorrow.
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