Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken will make history in Helsinki, Finland, with two regular-season games scheduled for November 12 and 14, 2026, marking the Kraken's first international tilt and the Hurricanes' return to Europe after 16 years. The matchups, part of the NHL's Global Series, will feature Finnish players on both rosters: Sebastian Aho and Jesperi Kotkaniemi for Carolina, and Kaapo Kakko and Eeli Tolvanen for Seattle (though Tolvanen is not under contract for 2026-27).

The Veikkaus Arena in Helsinki, which hosted the NHL's last European games in 2018, will serve as the backdrop. This expansion follows the league's tradition of staging games in Europe since 2007, with two December 2026 matchups in Germany between Ottawa and Chicago. The Kraken's participation underscores their rapid growth, while the Hurricanes aim to rekindle their 2008 Stanley Cup pedigree on a global stage.

Global Series events boost the NHL's international footprint, with Helsinki's inclusion highlighting Finland's emerging hockey culture. Both teams will face travel challenges and timezone adjustments, but the games offer fans a unique opportunity to see elite hockey beyond North America. The Kraken's first overseas games could signal a shift in the league's strategic focus toward European markets.

Hurricanes vs. Kraken in Helsinki will test both franchises' adaptability, with implications for playoff seeding and player development. The Kraken's roster, bolstered by Finnish talent, may gain an edge in European conditions, while Carolina seeks to leverage its experience in international play. These games could set a precedent for future NHL collaborations with European leagues.