The Seattle Kraken arrived in Helsinki on Sunday to prepare for the 2026 NHL Global Series against the Carolina Hurricanes, following a 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers that left them with a 9-6-1 record.
The team will spend several days in Finland for bonding activities including saunas, sautéed reindeer, and salmon soup before the first game on Thursday, November 12 at 7 p.m. EET (12 p.m. ET). The second game is Saturday, November 14 at 8 p.m. EET (1 p.m. ET).
Defenseman Brandon Montour said the trip is good for team bonding early in the season. Captain Jordan Eberle, in his 17th NHL season, called it a unique experience. Finnish forward Kaapo Kakko, who won Olympic bronze in February, noted the value of staying in one place for a week after a hectic road trip.
Kakko, along with fellow Finns Jani Nyman, Ville Ottavainen, and goaltender Niklas Kokko, are acting as local hosts. Coach Lane Lambert praised Kakko's leadership in organizing team activities. Kakko expects over 30 friends and family to attend the games.
In the loss to the Rangers, Kakko scored in the third period to start a comeback that saw Seattle outshoot New York 14-1 in the final frame. Goals from Eberle and Vince Dunn pulled the Kraken within one, but a late interference penalty on 20-year-old center Berkly Catton ended the rally. Catton extended his point streak to eight games with two assists.
The Hurricanes enter the series with a 14-3-2 record and a league-best plus-33 goal differential. They have won three of their last four games by a combined score of 21-5, and Andrei Svechnikov has three goals in his last two games.
Both games will be broadcast on NHL Network, Sportsnet, TVA Sports, Prime Video, and local Seattle channels.
