Red Wings in Sweden: What to Know

Game Facts

Who: Red Wings vs. Senators

When: 2 p.m.

Where: Aviici Arena, Stockholm

TV/Radio: Bally Sports/97.1 FM

Records: Red Wings 8-5-2, Ottawa 6-7-0

Things to Look For

It’s the first of back-to-back games for the Red Wings in Sweden. They’ll be without No. 1 goalie Ville Husso, who’s at home due to the birth of his child this week. James Reimer will start in net today. Coach Derek Lalonde wouldn’t commit to saying backup Alex Lyon would start Friday’s game. …

Lucas Raymond, the 0nly Swede on the Red Wings roster, talked about the importance of the NHL  playing games in Sweden: “You read about the NHL, you see highlights and then for kids to actually be able to experience an NHL game, I think that will be special,” he said. “I’ll try to do as much as possible to participate in different events. I think that week is gonna do a lot for the NHL and also for hockey in Sweden and in Europe.”

The Ottawa Senators have struggled in the early going. The Senators have plenty of offense, but not much in the way of defense. The Wings are only slightly better on defense, which could mean a lot of scoring in Stockholm. The Wings-Senators matchup will be the latest installment is what’s becoming a rivalry between the teams.

While we bask in mid-November sunshine, here’s a po0stcard from Sweden:

Having ourselves a Swede ‘ol time!#NHLGlobalSeries pic.twitter.com/n5L6YubxAL

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) November 15, 2023

Coach Derek Lalonde, overall, seems pleased with his team’s start going into the games in Sweden. “We’re 8-5-2 prior to heading to Sweden,” he said after Saturday’s home win over Columbus. “If you would have asked anyone if we would take 8-5-2 before a little reset going to Sweden we all would have taken it. What we’re going to do with it? Continue to build our game.” …

The Red Wings have been in Sweden since Sunday, and Lalonde says the team should be ready to play. “(I’m) actually kind of excited about some of the reps we’ll get in there,” he said. “Also, it’s a good balance. The league did a really good job of having that balance, acclimating, having that experience away from the rink, giving you plenty of time to be ready to play.”