Raymond Olympic Update: Swedes Ousted By USA, Larkin

Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond figured in Sweden’s only goal. Still, it wasn’t enough as the Swedes fell 2-1 in overtime to the USA and were eliminated from the Olympic Games in Wednesday’s quarterfinal.

Raymond drew an assist on Mika Zibanejad’s game-tying goal with 91 seconds left. The Swedes had pulled the goalie for an extra attacker.

Time On Ice

Raymond played 21:08, the highest total among the Swedish forwards. He skated 29 shifts, averaging 43 seconds per shift. Raymond played 1:37 in the OT period. He finished the game with six shots, leading all Swedish players.

Lucas Raymond has been one of the best players on the ice tonight. @NHLMedia

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 18, 2026

His output included a first-period breakaway chance and a second-period back-door opportunity. Raymond was foiled on both occasions by USA goalie Connor Hellebuyck.

Production

Assisting on Sweden’s only goal, Raymond finished the tournament with two goals and seven assists. He was Sweden’s top scorer. He posted back-to-back three-point games, the first time a Swede has done that since NHLers began competing in the Olympics in 1998.

Game Notes

Jakob Markstrom of the New Jersey Devils got the start in goal for Sweden. For the second straight game, his backup was Jesper Wallstedt of the Minnesota Wild, the goalie the Red Wings passed on in the 2021 NHL entry draft to select Sebastian Cossa . . . Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman sat out the entire game after suffering an injury in the warmup.

Analysis

Sweden lost to the USA at the Olympics for the first time since Squaw Valley, California, in 1960. The Americans won the gold medal at that Olympiad.

Next Game

Sweden goes home, while Raymond’s Red Wings teammate Dylan Larkin and the USA move on to face Slovakia in the semifinals.