Denmark’s Olympic hockey roster leans on depth as Andersen sits vs. U.S.
Denmark will enter its Group C matchup with the United States at 3: 10 p. m. ET with a rotated look in net and a lineup built around a handful of NHL regulars. Coach Mikael Gath confirmed Frederik Andersen will not start the game, leaving Mads Sogaard and Frederik Dichow as the immediate candidates to take the crease in Milano Cortina.
Goaltending decision: Andersen out, Sogaard or Dichow to get the nod
The headline from Denmark’s pregame practice is straightforward: Frederik Andersen will not be the starter for this meeting with the Americans. The move appears tactical — a preservation of the veteran netminder for games the staff views as more winnable — and leaves the door open for either 25-year-old Mads Sogaard or 24-year-old Frederik Dichow to start.
Sogaard arrives with recent NHL work this season and some international experience; he made a steady backup appearance in Denmark’s loss to Germany and is familiar with facing top-level shots. Dichow has fewer North American minutes but offers a strong club resume in Sweden’s top league and a memorable international outing in which he played a starring role in a major upset two years earlier. The choice will be shaped by matchups, freshness and coaching preference for how to manage Denmark’s three-game preliminary slate.
NHL core gives Denmark a clear spine
Denmark’s roster is built around a handful of NHL names who will be counted on to provide offense and composure. Forwards like Nikolaj Ehlers and Nicholas Jensen have been at the center of the team’s best sequences — Jensen’s long-range strike in this matchup illustrated Denmark’s tendency to create danger from unexpected places.
On the blue line, Malte Setkov has the size and reach that make the Danes harder to attack through the middle, and his easy assist on a highlight play underscored how simple reads can lead to scoring chances. Those familiar faces anchor a group that will need to execute structure, special teams and quick transitions to counter the speed and skill of the U. S. lineup.
Schedule and strategy: workload management matters
Gath signaled the reality every smaller hockey nation faces at the Olympics: the schedule is cramped and roster windows are narrow. With three preliminary games in short succession, the coaching staff is electing to manage minutes and legs — a likely reason Andersen is being saved for a matchup deemed more favorable in the standings chase.
That approach carries risk. Choosing a backup for a marquee game can tilt momentum early if the opposing side converts on a fluke or a confidence-shaking play. Still, the tactic aims to maximize Denmark’s chances across the preliminary round rather than expend top resources on a single, tough opponent.
Matchup notes vs. U. S.: capitalize on chaos
The game’s early action suggested both teams can be sloppy in their own end and that odd-man chances will decide swings. The Americans weathered an unexpected long-distance goal and then answered with a momentum play; their forecheck and work rate will be a central test for Denmark’s defensive structure.
Denmark will look to use quick outlet passes, stretch the neutral zone and force turnovers to create odd-man opportunities. If Sogaard or Dichow can stand up to high-danger chances and limit rebound traffic, Denmark’s counterattacking forwards — led by Ehlers and Jensen — can make the game uncomfortable for the U. S.
Depth, youth and what to watch next
Beyond the headline names, Denmark’s roster mixes veterans with young professionals from Europe’s top leagues. Dichow’s recent club play suggests he can handle pressure starts if called upon. On the skater side, chemistry between line mates and effectiveness on the penalty kill will matter as much as any single moment in goal.
As the tournament progresses, the reliability of Andersen, the emergence of a starter from the Sogaard–Dichow pairing, and how the Danes manage back-to-back games will determine whether this roster can push past the preliminary round and into the knockout mix.
