Jeremy Swayman to Start for Team USA vs. Denmark at Milano Cortina

Jeremy Swayman has been tapped to start in net for Team USA’s Group C preliminary game against Denmark on Saturday, with puck drop set for 3: 10 p. m. ET. Coach Mike Sullivan named the Boston Bruins netminder as the starter, with Connor Hellebuyck serving as the backup and Jake Oettinger listed as the third goaltender.

Swayman gets the nod in Milan

Swayman moves into the starter’s role after backing up Hellebuyck in the Americans’ 5-1 opening win over Latvia. The decision preserves the U. S. goaltending depth while giving Swayman his first Olympic start. He comes to the Olympics off a strong international run last year, when he helped the national team to a championship run at the IIHF World Championship.

Goaltending rotation and what it means

With three games in four nights on the preliminary slate, the coaching staff emphasized workload management. "At the end of the day, we’re playing three games in four nights, and we have three guys that we know are capable of helping us win games, " Sullivan said. Putting Swayman in net for the Denmark tilt allows the staff to keep their top netminders fresh for the knockout rounds while continuing to evaluate matchups and performance.

Stats and recent form

This season Swayman is 22-12-3 with a 2. 92 goals-against average and a. 903 save percentage in 38 appearances (37 starts) for his NHL club. His strong showing at the 2025 world tournament — where he went unbeaten and posted a shutout in the title game — bolstered his case for Olympic starts this winter. Hellebuyck made 17 saves in the Latvia game and remains an elite option on the bench when needed.

Bruins link and teammate praise

Boston teammate Charlie McAvoy gave a succinct assessment of Swayman’s strengths: "He’s just a heck of a goaltender. I mean, he competes. I think that’s his biggest skill, just his competitiveness. He’s unreal. " That competitiveness and track record at key moments are precisely what the U. S. staff wants in a tournament setting where momentum can swing quickly.

Lineup continuity and areas to watch

Beyond the crease, the rest of the lineup appeared likely to remain intact following the morning skate. Top centers Auston Matthews and Dylan Larkin continued to helm line combinations that include high-end finishers, and the staff said chemistry at 5-on-5 remains a work in progress. Sullivan stressed the coaching staff’s ongoing discussions about line deployments and in-game adjustments. He added that every player on the roster remains under consideration each night, with decisions guided by performance.

Outlook for Denmark and the rest of the prelims

Denmark presents a different challenge than Latvia, and the U. S. will look for Swayman to set the tone early. The Americans close the preliminary round against Germany on Sunday, so Saturday’s game is another step in balancing ice time across a stacked roster while building momentum heading into the knockout phase. Expect a steady defensive structure in front of Swayman and measured offensive deployment as the staff searches for the right 5-on-5 chemistry.

With three elite goalies available, the U. S. has flexibility. Saturday’s choice to start Swayman signals confidence in his ability to handle the moment and gives the team a chance to keep its top netminders fresh for the tournament’s critical stages.