The Penguins and Predators will meet on October 7-8 at the Saitama Super Arena, which is slated to open in September just outside Tokyo. GAME ONe Japan 2000 is a cooperative venture involving the NHL, the NHL Players Association, the Japan Ice Hockey Federation and Dentsu Sports Marketing.

"We're proud of the relationship we've built with the Japanese hockey community," said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. "The league is committed to growing the international hockey audience and we're excited to be bringing the NHL to Japan for the third time."

Making the trip this time will be Hart Trophy Jaromir Jagr of the Penguins, arguably the best hockey player in the world. Leading the league in scoring for the third straight season, Jagr set a record in fan balloting for the 2000 All-Star Game with 1,020,736 votes.

"The Penguins are excited about bringing the world's greatest game to Japan and participating in this multi-cultural hockey experience," general manager Craig Patrick said. "We will be able to showcase one of the game's true superstars in Jaromir Jagr."

Predators right wing Scott Walker made the trip to Japan with the Vancouver Canucks in 1997 and made NHL history when he became the first player to score a goal outside North America. The Canucks went on to split the two-game series with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

In 1998, the Calgary Flames came away with a tie and a win over the San Jose Sharks at Yoyogi Arena in Tokyo.

"It is our goal to combine Predators hockey, Nashville music and Tennessee business into a week-long festival in Japan," said Predators president Jack Diller.