GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist will play for Sweden at the 2017 IIHF World Championship. Lundqvist said he will leave Friday and join the team in Cologne, Germany.
His twin brother, forward Joel Lundqvist, is Sweden's captain.
The Rangers were eliminated from the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 4-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Second Round at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
"I haven't played with [Joel] in 12 years," Lundqvist said Thursday. "I see this as an opportunity to play for my country one more time and with my brother. So I'm going to go there and I'm going to try to finish really strong this season."
Lundqvist said he made the decision Wednesday to go to the World Championship. His first game is expected to be Sunday, when Sweden plays a Group A preliminary round game against Denmark.
This is the first time Lundqvist will play in the World Championship since 2008. He played for Sweden in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, the 2014 Sochi Olympics and the World Cup of Hockey 2016.
"There's a lot of gas left in the tank here," Lundqvist said. "I was hoping to play [in the Stanley Cup Playoffs] for another month. That was our goal and my mindset. It was very disappointing obviously to end the season like we did, but you have to accept … it's over here. The last two days I've been just thinking about what I could have done differently, what I could have done better. I probably won't have all the answers until a few weeks. I'm going to continue to think about this. But right now, after spending so much time the last two days to think about it, I made the decision to go play for Team Sweden with my brother and analyze a little bit more after that."
Sweden, which played Latvia later Friday, has a regulation win against Germany, a shootout loss to Russia and a regulation loss to the United States.
Three Crowns receive further NHL reinforcement in the World Cup. Goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist is ready. It confirms New York Rangers on their Twitter account.
"When it does not seem to be the Olympics, it may be the last chance to play with the national team," says Lundqvist to SVT Sport.
Henke has never melted out of the Stanley Cup who went to six matches quarter to champion Ottawa. He is coming to the World Cup.
- It felt right on every level. It really attracted me. Even though you get to know the disappointment with Rangers, this feels like a very fun opportunity. The decision grew quickly.
- Several factors were recorded. The brother is with. I have not played with him for twelve years. There was much that attracted. The big question for me was if I could not reload. But I'm getting more and more crazy for every hour, "said Lundqvist to SVT Sport.
Are you healthy - no blemishes?
- The body feels good. There have been many years when goals have been set, as there has been a lot of problems. Hips and knees. Being physically familiar with me has also been a contributing factor.
World Cup preparations have already started for 35-year-olds.
- It is necessary that you are ready. I will go on ice here tomorrow and work on my own. The plan is to connect on Saturday. Physically, it feels good, and mentally you start to set up new matches for the weekend.
He steps into the hot air directly.
"I was talking to Grønborg, and the plan is that I'm on Sunday.
Three crowns are set against Denmark in the sixth group game of seven.
World Cup tournament can be Henrik Lundqvist's last appearance in Three Crowns.
- You never know what's going on in the future. In recent years, we have gone a long way in the playoff, and it has been difficult to connect. If you have gone out early, you have been injured. I see this as a wonderful opportunity to join the World Cup again and try to win. Then I hope to be on a high level in the next few years.
The first World Cup tournament for the Lundqvist brothers together
The World Cup in Cologne will be the first to be played by Henrik and Joel Lundqvist. The twin brothers have not played another major national team tournament together.
"It is a factor clearly. We grew up together and played hockey together. Twelve years ago we went separate ways. I ended up here. He has been to Dallas, and in Frölunda for many years now. It was a while since we played together. It feels great fun, and inspiring to play in the same team again.
World Cup captain Joel has made his attempt at overcoming New York Rangers goalkeeper king.
"Of course, I'm going to say we're having a great time here," Joel said earlier to SVT Sport.
The team - what do you think it's enough?
"The goal is obviously to win. Many look strong to judge by the highlights I've seen. Then there is very little that makes some matches. Right decision at the right time, which will be crucial in many matches.
SVT Sports expert Mikael Renberg believes Sweden can go a lot better with Lundqvist in the target.
"We go from a medal chance to the chance to win World Cup gold. A giant boost. He is of the caliber World Cup gold. It's just watching historically. Once we have won the World Cup we have had very good goalkeepers.
https://www.svt.se/sport/ishockey/uppgifter-henrik-lundqvist-till-vm/
https://www.nhl.com/news/henrik-lundqvist-will-play-world-championship-for-sweden/c-289394304?tid=280550118
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