After beginning the regular season in Europe, the Ottawa Senators will have their official home opener tonight as they welcome the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings to Scotiabank Place.

The Senators met the Pittsburgh Penguins for a pair of contests last weekend in Sweden, with each team being designated with a home game at the Globe Arena in Stockholm. The clubs split the series, with Pittsburgh taking Saturday's contest in overtime and Ottawa following up with a 3-1 decision the following day.

Ottawa will have to open its home schedule this evening without its captain, Daniel Alfredsson, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Friday.

The surgery removed a bone chip in the forward's knee that was dislodged during Sunday's game against Pittsburgh. The ailment could sideline Alfredsson for up to two weeks.

The 35-year-old Alfredsson is Ottawa's all-time leader in goals (331), assists (518) and games played (855).

Danny Heatley continued his dominance against the Penguins as he scored twice to help Ottawa split the season-opening series with Sunday's 3-1 triumph.

Alex Auld made 30 saves and was less than one second away from a shutout while Antoine Vermette scored the other goal for the Senators.

The Red Wings raised their Stanley Cup banner to the rafters at Joe Louis Arena prior to Thursday's season opener against Toronto, but wound up losing the contest by a 3-2 count. Nikolai Kulemin's first NHL goal was the game- winner, as Toronto held on for the decision.

Tomas Holmstrom picked up both goals for the Red Wings. Marian Hossa assisted on Holmstrom's second tally, his first point in a Detroit uniform after signing as a free agent from Pittsburgh in the offseason.

Chris Osgood was solid in defeat, making 26 saves.

Ottawa has won the last two encounters with Detroit, but the Red Wings have still taken six of nine meetings.

The Senators were 22-15-4 as the host team last season, while Detroit had an excellent 25-12-4 mark as the visiting team.

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