Sweden to start jacob markstrom in high-stakes Olympic qualification against Latvia
MILAN — Jacob Markstrom has been named the starter for Team Sweden in Tuesday’s sudden-death Olympic qualification game against Latvia at 3: 10 p. m. ET, a decision that settles one of the tournament’s most consequential goaltending questions and shifts the spotlight to Sweden’s crease for what will be a short turnaround if they advance.
Markstrom chosen after mixed preliminary work from Sweden’s tandem
Sweden’s coaching staff turned to Markstrom after rotating goalies through the preliminary round. Filip Gustavsson opened Sweden’s campaign with two starts but struggled early in each outing, allowing the first goal in both of his assignments and finishing the prelims with five goals allowed on 45 shots, a save percentage of. 888. Markstrom, who was given the nod against Slovakia Saturday, made 29 saves in a 5-3 victory and impressed coaches with his size, puck-handling and presence in the net.
Coach Sam Hallam had signaled that the decision on who would start was made well ahead of puck drop, calling it “a gut feeling” after discussions with the goalie coach and staff. Markstrom echoed the pride of representing his country on Olympic ice and said he relishes the opportunity to build on a positive outing. Jesper Wallstedt will serve as Sweden’s backup for the qualifier.
The choice also brings into focus the workload question: should Sweden win, it would face the United States in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, meaning the staff must decide whether to ride Markstrom on back-to-back days or hand the net to another option. Hallam has praised the club’s depth in net, noting the challenge and advantage of having multiple NHL-calibre keepers available for tournament hockey.
Czechia’s goaltending decision remains under wraps ahead of Denmark game
Meanwhile, Team Czechia faces a parallel dilemma earlier on Tuesday, when it meets Denmark at 10: 40 a. m. ET. Coach Radim Rulik has three NHL goaltenders in the mix and has kept his starter close to the vest, following a team policy of announcing the netminder only near puck drop. Lukas Dostal and Dan Vladar have both seen action in this tournament, while Karel Vejmelka remains an option if the staff elects to pull an audible.
That choice will carry equal weight: the winner advances to the quarterfinals on Wednesday, where the bracket reshuffle could pit them against one of the event’s top seeds. For Czechia, the decision balances recent form, matchup scouting and the desire to give a goaltender a full opportunity to settle into a crucial game.
Immediate stakes and coaching calculus
Both matches are single-elimination qualifiers: a loss ends medal hopes, while a victory puts the winner into the quarterfinals the next day. For goaltenders, Olympic play means condensed schedules and intense scrutiny; for coaches, it demands judgment calls that can affect not just one game but the team’s pathway through the bracket.
Sweden’s staff opted for the veteran presence and recent strong performance in Markstrom, while Czechia’s staff is keeping flexibility to pick the best matchup fit. Gustavsson’s NHL numbers this season (a 2. 61 goals-against average and a. 907 save percentage) and Markstrom’s club statistics (a 3. 20 GAA and. 882 save percentage) were part of the broader evaluation, but tournament dynamics and one-off performance carry outsized weight in this format.
With both qualification games set for Tuesday and quarterfinal berths on the line, coaching instincts and goaltending execution will play pivotal roles. The choices have been made or will be revealed close to puck drop, and the winners will need to rapidly shift focus to the back-to-back demands of Olympic knockout hockey.
