Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond are more than just teammates on the Detroit Red Wings; they're linemates and brothers in arms. But today, they’ll set aside their camaraderie as they face off in a high-stakes Olympic quarterfinal. Larkin’s Team USA will battle Raymond’s Swedish squad, with the winner moving one step closer to Olympic glory.
This matchup wasn’t exactly what either team had envisioned. The undefeated Americans, boasting a 3-0 record, found themselves in an unexpected clash due to a goal-differential tiebreaker that placed them as the No. 2 seed behind Canada.
This twist of fate has led them to face a Swedish team that also fell victim to the same tiebreaker. A power play goal by Slovakia, stemming from a penalty by Raymond, nudged Sweden into third place in their group.
Despite the criticism Raymond has faced from Swedish media for that penalty, he’s been a standout performer. With eight points (one goal, seven assists), he’s just behind Connor McDavid in the tournament scoring race.
On the other side, Larkin has been making waves as Team USA’s No. 3 center, dominating the faceoff circle with a 79.6% win rate. U.S. Coach Mike Sullivan praises Larkin's versatility, noting his ability to skate, defend, and win crucial faceoffs, making him a key player on both ends of the ice.
In other Red Wings news, Eduards Tralmaks shone for Latvia, though they’ve exited the tournament. Nate Danielson is applying his Detroit experience to elevate his game with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Defenseman Simon Edvinsson is set to rejoin the Red Wings after the Olympic break.
Meanwhile, Moritz Seider’s German team was eliminated by Slovakia. Jesse Kiiskinen continues to impress in the Finnish League and is expected to join Grand Rapids soon. Austin Watson and Sheldon Dries have been sent back to Grand Rapids, ready for their next matchup against Cleveland.
As the Olympic drama unfolds, keep an eye on these Red Wings players who are making their mark on the international stage.