Forsberg, Stamkos Lead Preds to Thrilling Overtime Win Against Penguins in Sweden

Fliip Forsberg and Steven Stamkos weren’t quite sure how they would have specifically drawn this up, but if they had to choose, Friday’s final result in Stockholm was pretty darn close.

And Nashville’s favorite Swede was one of the heroes.

Forsberg tied the game with just 1:10 to play - Nashville’s first goal of the night - and their second and final tally came off the stick of Stamkos just 44 seconds into overtime to snap a five-game skid and give the Preds one heck of a victory to kick off the 2025 NHL Global Series at Avicii Arena in Sweden.

“There was a lot of excitement,” Forsberg grinned following the win. “I’m not going to lie, it's been a big day. [We] couldn't be happier that we were able to pull that one through and get a win. That was awesome.”

“You could tell it's just one of those games where, like Fil said, you're almost nervous, anxious, you have that extra pep in your step,” Stamkos said. “You could tell [Forsberg] was on his game tonight and had some great looks. And you're like, ‘When is it going to go [in]?’ We were on the verge, made it a little more interesting than we wanted to, but we played a solid game and kind of talked about, in the past, maybe letting it slip away and not sticking to it. Tonight, obviously we did it right down the wire and filled a huge hole, and then to get one in overtime was big. I just thought that was the first time in a while that we stuck with it the whole time.”

Over the past few days in Sweden, the Preds have made much ado about this trip carrying massive potential to galvanize their season - but that’s all talk until they lace up their skates.

On Friday night, they backed themselves by outplaying the Penguins for a large majority of the evening - but they couldn’t find the back of the net for almost 59 minutes.

Then, with one quick backhand, Forsberg changed the entire narrative.

“I think the last few days, our group had a lot of time together, enjoyed each other, and re-energized a little bit,” Preds Head Coach Andrew Brunette said. “I thought our last two games were a little bit leaky, because we kind of got back to our identity a little bit. Tonight, I'm really happy that it worked out. Because, like I said, those long nights this year that we played that style of hockey, they've done everything I've asked them to do, and we didn't get rewarded. And tonight we got rewarded. And you know, it was pretty cool for Fil. Really happy for him.”

The Predators had a 20-10 shots advantage through 40 minutes of play, but a Pittsburgh bounce in the middle frame allowed Evgeni Malkin to put the Penguins up 1-0 heading into the final period.

But Nashville kept pressing, and after Forsberg tied it, he could've ended it in OT when he had a breakaway not long after the puck dropped. But that story? Well, perhaps it would've been too perfect.

“I guess that overtime breakaway, I think that would have been too much,” Forsberg joked of the movie-script-type potential. “So, we kept it at that, and then Stammer finished it off for us. It was awesome. So much fun and then great game by the guys.”

Stamkos did indeed send the Preds rushing off the bench just minutes after it appeared they were headed for their sixth consecutive loss. Instead, the feeling was that of jubilation.

And for all the attention Forsberg got on Friday night in his home country - and rightfully so - the fact Stamkos was the one who potted the winner was a fact Nashville’s bench boss was not about to let slip by.

“Nothing Fil does overly surprises me, and I thought he tried so hard and had so many opportunities… But I think for our group and our team, it was great that Stammer scored,” Brunette said. “For what we've gone through, what we continue to have to battle every night, to see him be rewarded…it was a little bit fitting.”

The Predators will now shift their sights to Sunday afternoon in Stockholm where they’ll have a chance to not only sweep the Global Series but also head back to Nashville with a very different feeling than they left with.

And if they have their say, the script will be written in a similar manner to the first act.

“Yeah, it's massive, really,” Stamkos said of the victory. “Obviously, we're in a position that we need wins. You circle this trip on the calendar at the beginning of the year; you obviously hope that we were in a little better position, but we've decided to use this as something that can spark the season. I think you just see the reaction today of getting a big win, but not only getting a big win, but playing really a solid game from [Juuse Saros] on out, the PK, the defenseman blocking shots, guys scoring a big goal like Fil did, and getting into overtime, getting a point, and nice to see one go in there for me.

“It was just an all-around team effort; it certainly lightens the mood going into the next game when you get the first one, and now you just try to be greedy and get both. We've had a great trip so far. It’s been fantastic. I think for the guys that have been to the city before, you love it every time you get here. For the guys who this is their first time, I think they're falling in love already. It's a great spot, and like Fil said, just listening to the anthem for the game, it gives you chills. It was just a great effort tonight.”

Notes:

The Predators dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen on Friday with Tyson Jost and Joakim Kemell serving as healthy scratches.

Filip Forsberg tied the game with 1:10 remaining in the third period for the Predators. He is the 12th Swedish player to score a goal in an NHL regular-season game in his home country; only two have scored multiple: Kristian Huselius (2-1—3 in 2 GP) and Lucas Raymond (2-0—2 in 2 GP).

Forsberg factored on a game-tying goal for the 135th time in his career and passed Roman Josi (134) for the most in franchise history.

Nashville’s goal with 1:10 remaining in regulation is the latest game-tying tally in a regular-season contest outside North America, besting the previous mark the Rangers hit during the 2011 Premiere Series (57:45).

Steven Stamkos needed just 44 seconds to score the overtime winner in Stockholm. It was the fastest overtime goal in a regular-season game outside North America, besting the previous mark set by Ottawa’s Mark Stone (0:59 at 2017 Global Series).

The Predators’ four wins in regular-season games outside North America tied the Panthers for the second-most among all teams, behind the Senators (5).

The 2025 NHL Global Series will conclude on Sunday afternoon in Stockholm when the Preds and Penguins face off once more at Avicii Arena.