Filip Forsberg's NHL Hat Trick Boosts Hopes for 2026 Olympic Selection

Swedish NHL star Filip Forsberg delivered a standout performance by scoring a hat trick for the Nashville Predators, leading to a 5-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues. The 31-year-old opened the scoring just 27 seconds into the game, later adding two more goals including an empty-netter, marking his first hat trick of the 2025-26 season and the 11th of his NHL career. This goal tally brings his season total to 14, ranking him second among Swedish NHL scorers behind Leo Carlsson.

Forsberg's impressive form comes less than two months before the Milano Winter Games, where he aims to secure a spot on the Swedish Olympic hockey team. Speaking to Expressen, he said, "It's hard to say if the Olympic form is already here, but I obviously want to do everything to earn a jersey."

Beyond his individual achievements, Forsberg emphasized the confidence boost his early goal provided, noting it can trigger a scoring momentum. The Predators, after a challenging start to the season, are beginning to gain momentum and accumulate points, with Forsberg's leadership playing a key role.

This performance not only underlines Forsberg's elite scoring ability but also strengthens his case for Olympic selection, as Sweden looks to field a strong team at the upcoming Winter Games in Milano.