Swedish NHL Stars Shine in 2025 Season Openers with Standout Performances
William Nylander excels in Toronto's NHL opener, while Axel Sandin Pellikka debuts directly with Detroit Red Wings.
- • William Nylander scored one goal and two assists in Toronto's 5-2 win over Montreal.
- • Nylander was the Maple Leafs’ top scorer last season with 45 goals.
- • Calle Järnkrok added a goal for Toronto in the season opener.
- • Axel Sandin Pellikka debuted directly in the NHL with Detroit, skipping the AHL.
- • Pellikka expressed excitement and nerves about his NHL debut.
Key details
Swedish NHL players made notable impacts during the league's 2025 season openers. William Nylander led the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 5-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens with a stellar performance at Scotiabank Arena. Nylander scored one goal and provided two assists, including setting up the game's opening goal just one minute into the match. He also assisted captain Auston Matthews and scored into an empty net in the final seconds, sealing the win. Nylander, age 29, was last season Toronto’s top scorer with 45 goals, second only to Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl in the NHL. Calle Järnkrok also contributed a goal for Toronto following a rebound opportunity. Meanwhile, Axel Sandin Pellikka made headlines by bypassing the usual AHL development path and debuting directly with the Detroit Red Wings in their NHL season opener. Expressing excitement, Pellikka called the opportunity "super fun" and acknowledged the nerves leading up to his first NHL game. Both players highlight the strong presence and promising starts of Swedish talent in the NHL this season.