Lundqvist, Rangers arrive in Sweden

GOTHENBURG, Swe. -- Henrik Lundqvist has been waiting for this day ever since finding out the Rangers would be traveling to Europe to begin the season. He's back in the town where his star was born, where he won a Swedish Elite League championship, where his brother is now the captain of the local team.

Lundqvist will be in net Friday night to take on his old team, the Frolunda Indians, at his old stadium, the Scandinavium, in front of many old friends and family members. He has admitted there are some nerves to go along with his excitement.

I saw him this morning at breakfast at the hotel in Prague and, clad in his designer suit, Lundqvist looked as calm as ever. I saw him again when the team was unloading their luggage off the team bus in front of their hotel here in Gothenburg, and again he looked calm.

I likely won't see Lundqvist again until he hits the ice Friday night. I gotta imagine that at some point that look of complete composure will crumble just a little.

The Rangers lineup for Friday's game hasn't been made known yet, but odds are some of the top forwards will not be on the ice because they played Thursday night in Prague and coach John Tortorella wants to see guys like Dale Weise, Carl Hagelin, John Mitchell, Kris Newbury and Ryan Bourque.

It will be interesting to see if Sean Avery and Brian Boyle crack the lineup. Avery has been bothered by a sore foot and Boyle is getting over the flu.

I'll have more information on the lineup soon enough.

Follow Dan Rosen on Twitter at: @drosennhl

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