Three Detroit Red Wings are suiting up for their countries at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, and two of them are about to go head-to-head on international ice.
Team USA's Dylan Larkin and Germany’s Moritz Seider will face off Sunday at Santagiulia Arena in a key Group C matchup that carries major implications for both squads. Puck drop is set for 3:10 p.m. ET.
Larkin, Detroit’s captain and one of Team USA’s veteran forwards, is still looking to make his mark on the scoresheet in Olympic play. Through two games, he’s fired six shots on net and is averaging just over 13 minutes of ice time per night. The Americans have cruised through their first two contests, topping Latvia 5-1 and Denmark 6-3, but Larkin hasn’t yet found the finishing touch.
On the other side, Seider is doing what he does best-eating big minutes and anchoring Germany’s blue line. The 23-year-old defenseman leads all German skaters in ice time, logging an eye-popping 26:59 per game through the first two matchups. He’s also chipped in with an assist, continuing to show the poise and two-way presence that’s made him a cornerstone in Detroit.
Germany enters the game with a 1-1 record, having edged Denmark 3-1 before falling in a tight 4-3 battle against Latvia. That sets up a crucial showdown against the Americans, who can clinch the top spot in Group C with a win. A regulation loss, however, would drop the U.S. into the qualifying round-a scenario they’ll be eager to avoid.
Adding a hometown twist, metro Detroit native and Winnipeg Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck is expected to get the start in goal for Team USA. The veteran goaltender brings a calm, steady presence in net, and he’ll be counted on to help the Americans lock down a German squad that’s shown it can hang tough.
With Larkin and Seider on opposite sides, Sunday’s game offers Red Wings fans a unique look at two of their franchise’s key building blocks competing on the sport’s biggest stage. And with Olympic stakes on the line, expect a high-intensity battle from the opening faceoff.