Photo credit: NHL
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."
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.
