mens hockey olympics: U.S. Men to Face Sweden in Quarterfinals
The U. S. men’s Olympic ice hockey team will meet Sweden in a high-stakes quarterfinal in Milan tonight, with the opening faceoff set for 9: 10 p. m. local/3: 10 p. m. ET at Santaguilia Ice Arena. The match pits two tournament teams that have shown offensive firepower and will feature a host of NHL teammates now competing for rival nations.
Game context, recent form and historical notes
Team USA finished the preliminary round unbeaten in regulation, winning all three group games to take the top spot in Group C and the second overall seed for the playoff bracket. Their latest outing was a 5-1 victory over Germany on Feb. 15. Sweden advanced to this quarterfinal by beating Latvia 5-1 in the qualification round. In preliminary play the Swedes posted wins over Italy (5-2) and Slovakia (5-3) and fell to Finland (4-1).
These nations have an extensive Olympic history, meeting 15 times previously in Winter Games play. The United States holds six victories in that series, Sweden has seven, and two contests ended in ties. Their last Olympic meeting came at the Torino Games in 2006, when Sweden won 2-1 in preliminary-round action.
Wild teammates and personal matchups to watch
One subplot adds extra spice: multiple Minnesota Wild teammates line up on opposite sides. For the U. S. that includes defensemen Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber and forward Matt Boldy. Sweden counters with center Joel Eriksson Ek and other familiar faces. Eriksson Ek has been a constant presence in front of the net and a disruptive force on the forecheck, while Faber has drawn attention for his defensive work and penalty killing.
Those internal rivalries turn a country-versus-country knockout into a personal test for players who see each other daily in NHL life. Expect physical battles around the crease, quick transitions and matchups that will test both teams’ discipline and depth.
Key players, goaltending and what to expect
Goaltending figures to be decisive. Connor Hellebuyck will start in net for the United States; he ranks among the tournament leaders with a. 952 save percentage and a 1. 00 goals-against average, and he made 23 saves on 24 shots in the 5-1 win over Germany. Sweden’s crease situation has rotated, with one of the country’s NHL netminders likely to take the assignment tonight. Sweden’s goaltenders have shown flashes; one is 1-1 with a 2. 55 goals-against average and a. 889 save percentage in tournament play.
Special teams and physical play will matter. The U. S. penalty kill has been sharp, and Faber has been part of a penalty-killing unit that has proven stingy through the early rounds. Sweden brings depth up and down the lineup, and Eriksson Ek’s ability to create havoc near the net can tilt tight games. Both teams have produced multi-goal efforts this tournament, so expect coaches to manage matchups and ice time carefully.
History also hangs over the U. S. side: the team has dropped its last two quarterfinal games at the Olympic Games, both 3-2 shootout losses in 2018 and 2022, and sits 4-5 all-time in Olympic quarterfinals. Their most recent quarterfinal win came at the 2014 Sochi Games, a 5-2 victory. That past makes this night more than a step toward medals — it is a moment to change a recent trend.
With a single-elimination format, tonight’s contest is poised to be tense, tactical and personal. For fans who follow NHL rosters closely, the matchup offers a unique lens: teammates become opponents and a familiar rivalry gains national significance. Puck drop is 3: 10 p. m. ET; expect tight checking, bursts of speed, and goaltending that could determine which country advances to the semifinals.
