mens hockey olympics: U.S. Men Meet Sweden in Milan Quarterfinal — Hellebuyck Starts, Wild Teammates Face Off
The U. S. men’s team meets Sweden in the Olympic quarterfinals tonight in Milan, with the puck scheduled to drop at 3: 10 p. m. ET. The matchup pits a red-hot American group that swept its preliminary pool against a deep Swedish side that advanced the qualification round.
Lineups, matchups and storylines to watch
Both teams arrive with momentum. The United States finished atop Group C after winning all three preliminary games in regulation, including a 5-1 victory over Germany on Feb. 15. Sweden progressed through the qualification round after a 5-1 win over Latvia and posted wins over Italy and Slovakia in preliminary play while falling to Finland.
Beyond national rivalry, tonight’s game features an intense club-level subplot: several Minnesota Wild teammates will face one another on opposite sides. For the Americans, Quinn Hughes, Brock Faber and Matt Boldy are central pieces; Sweden counters with Joel Eriksson Ek in the middle and other familiar faces. Faber, a key penalty killer for the U. S., described Eriksson Ek as a constant presence around the net and a player who creates problems for defenders. Boldy and Eriksson Ek—each used to finding chemistry in the NHL—will instead try to foil one another in Milan.
Expect a physical, strategic contest in which each coaching staff leans on neutral-zone structure and special teams. The U. S. boasts a strong penalty kill through the early tournament, while Sweden’s depth means they can roll multiple lines and force matchups that test U. S. defenders over the course of 60 minutes and beyond.
Goaltending and form: Hellebuyck gets the start
Connor Hellebuyck will start in net for the U. S. He has been outstanding in limited action, posting a. 952 save percentage and a 1. 00 goals-against average through two appearances. In his most recent outing he stopped 23 of 24 shots in the 5-1 win over Germany. Sweden has rotated between options in goal, and discussion around the Swedish crease has included both established and younger netminders; one of the Swedish goalies has shown the ability to steal games when hot.
Netminding could decide this game. If Hellebuyck continues at his current level, the Americans will have a chance to control the pace and force Sweden to press. Conversely, a hot night from the Swedish goalie would open the door for counterattacking opportunities and set the stage for a low-scoring, tense finish.
History, stakes and what’s next
Olympic history between these programs is tight: across prior Winter Games meetings, Sweden holds a slim edge. The U. S. has struggled in recent quarterfinals, losing close shootout decisions in the last two editions, but also owns quarterfinal wins when NHL players were on the roster. This contest will determine which nation advances to the medal-round semifinals and which will be forced to regroup for classification play.
For individual players, tonight is an opportunity to leave a mark on Olympic competition—whether by a timely goal, a key defensive stop, or a clutch save. For teammates separated by national jerseys, it’s a unique professional moment: familiar opponents in unfamiliar colors, each chasing the same prize for different flags.
Faceoff is set for 3: 10 p. m. ET. Expect a hard-fought, emotionally charged game that could hinge on special teams and goaltending over the final minutes.
