Moritz Seider (left) is the great leader in the Red Wings defense. © APA / GREGORY SHAMUS

A dream couple makes Detroit dream

The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime last night (CET) in the NHL, celebrating their seventh win in eight games. A pair of defensemen were in the spotlight.

22 January 2026

From: sportsnews

Swede Simon Edvinsson and German Moritz Seider not only shone in defense, but also made a decisive contribution to the success in attack.

Off the ice, Seider is in a relationship with short track speed skater Anna Seidel, but on the ice, he and his partner Edvinsson form a well-established duo in the Red Wings' starting defense. Together, they significantly influence the team's play – as was the case in their recent game in Toronto.

With 17 seconds remaining in the first period, Edvinsson pounced in the slot and redirected a pass from Lucas Raymond into the net to tie the game 1-1. In overtime, Seider poked and then body-checked his opponent, Easton Cowan, in the neutral zone to force the puck out of the net. He suddenly found himself alone in front of the goal and passed across to the onrushing Dylan Larkin, who scored the game-winning goal.

In 99 years of rivalry between the two Original Six teams, this is only the second time, after 1995-96, that the Red Wings have swept a series of at least four games against the Maple Leafs. Detroit is tied for first place in the Atlantic Division with the Tampa Bay Lightning and has a nine-point cushion above the non-playoff spot.