Elias Pettersson Admits He's Nervous to Face Canada's Top Forwards at 4 Nations Face-Off
Photo credit: NHL
Vancouver Canucks and Team Sweden forward Elias Pettersson is in for a big challenge tonight as he's tasked to take on Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Elias Pettersson is set to suit up for Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off for his first action on the international stage in nearly six years when he represented them at the 2019 IIHF World Hockey Championship.
Elias Pettersson jokingly admits he's nervous to face Team Canada
With Sweden's tournament getting underway tonight at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, the team took to the ice for their morning skate and afterwards, spoke with the media.
Elias Pettersson was asked by reporters about playing against the best players on Team Canada as he'll likely be up against either Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon tonight and jokingly, he admitted that he's a bit nervous.
"Well it's definitely different that they're all on the same team now." Pettersson said when asked about facing top centers in the NHL.
He went on to add, "So, no, but it's exciting. Excited how we're going to perform against them. but yeah, little nervous. In a good way, so excited for puck drop."
He went on to add, "So, no, but it's exciting. Excited how we're going to perform against them. but yeah, little nervous. In a good way, so excited for puck drop."
Pettersson has been handed a big role by Swedish head coach Sam Hallam right out of the gate, as he's skating on their second line with Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings and Filip Forsberg of the Nashville Predators as his wingers.
The Sundsvall, Sweden native will also see time on the power play too, as he's been practicing on their second unit with Rickard Rakell (Pittsburgh Penguins), Adrian Kempe (Los Angeles Kings), Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Jesper Bratt (New Jersey Devils).
The 4 Nations Face-Off will be a nice distraction for Elias Pettersson as well as he's with his fellow countrymen and can enjoy the next ten days of being with the national team, and hopefully, he can use this tournament to help turn around his season back in Vancouver.
Puck drop for the 4 Nations Face-Off opener tonight between Canada and Sweden is set for 5 pm PT (8 pm local) on Sportsnet.
Previously on CanucksDaily
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