Swayman to start in goal for Team USA against Denmark
Jeremy Swayman will get the start in net for Team USA when the Americans face Denmark on Saturday at 3: 10 p. m. ET in Milan. U. S. coach Mike Sullivan confirmed the move following the squad’s 5-1 opening victory, with Connor Hellebuyck set to serve as the backup.
Goaltending rotation for a condensed schedule
Sullivan framed the decision as part of a broader management of a tight Olympic schedule: three games in four nights with three goalies on the roster. Jake Oettinger remains the third goalie. "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, emphasizing the need to balance rest and performance.
What Swayman brings to the crease
Swayman arrives in Milan off a solid regular season with Boston, posting a 22-12-3 record, a 2. 92 goals-against average and a. 903 save percentage in 38 appearances (37 starts). He earned a prominent spot on the U. S. roster thanks to recent international success as well; his play last year helped elevate his standing among the coaching staff and teammates.
Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy didn’t mince words when assessing his club teammate: "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. " Fans will see swayman get the start in his first Olympic outing on Saturday.
Hellebuyck’s role and recent form
Connor Hellebuyck started the tournament opener and made 17 saves in the 5-1 win over Latvia, a performance that allowed Sullivan to turn to Swayman for the next game without significant concern. Hellebuyck’s presence provides experience and stability from the bench should the Americans need a change midstream.
Lines, chemistry and what might change
Sullivan declined to announce sweeping lineup changes after the morning skate; the forward lines and defensive pairs from the Latvia game appeared intact. Auston Matthews continued to center Jake Guentzel and Matt Boldy, while Dylan Larkin skated between Kyle Connor and Tage Thompson. Both Matthews and Thompson scored on the power play in the opener, though the coaching staff is still probing for stronger 5-on-5 impact from those tandems.
"I think they’re capable of making more of an impact on the game, and we’ll walk the line of trying to let them play through stuff, " Sullivan said, outlining a patient approach to building chemistry. Coaches will continue to evaluate line performance between periods and after games, with adjustments made as necessary.
Roster decisions remain fluid
Several players remain in the conversation for game-day roles beyond Saturday. Sullivan said the staff will continually reassess who dresses based on performance, practice intel and team needs. Names still under consideration to suit up in upcoming games include Jake Oettinger, defenseman Jackson LaCombe and forward Clayton Keller, but no final decisions have been announced.
"Everybody that’s here is in the conversation every single game, " Sullivan said. "We reevaluate after every game based on what we see. At the end of the day, performance will be the dictator. " With two preliminary games left before the knockout rounds, coaching choices over the next 48 hours will shape the team’s momentum heading into the elimination phase.
