Bettman: Future games in Prague, Stockholm

NHLCommissioner Gary Bettman said that the league is planning to play a season-opening game in Prague and another two games in Stockholm next season.

Bettman, speaking before the Jets beat the Panthers 4-2 on Thursday in the first of their two games in Helsinki, said the league plans to keep a presence in Europe in the future.

The commissioner said the 23 regular-season games played in Europe since 2007 have been a “fantastic success.” As an example, he said the tickets for the two games between the Panthers and Jets at the 13,500-seat Hartwall Arena sold out in less than five minutes.

Bettman didn’t specify the dates or teams for the future games, which will take place in November 2019, saying plans have yet to be finalized.

In October, the Devils beat the Oilers 5-2 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Patrick Laine, a native of Finland, had a hat trick Thursday to power the Jets’ victory.

The second Jets-Panthers game is Friday.