The men’s Olympic ice hockey tournament has reached the quarterfinal stage, and Team USA has a tough matchup.
Team USA won its group but finished as the No. 2 seed behind Canada. However, due to Sweden’s poor group stage, the USA has to play Sweden in the quarters. Puck drop is set for 3:10 p.m. ET.
Here is everything you need to know about the line combinations and starting goalies for both teams.
Team USA Line Combinations
Through the first two games, Team USA didn’t make any changes to their lineup. Yet, Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor was scratched and that will continue to be the case.
Clayton Keller drew in to replace Connor on the United States’ third line, and he will remain in that spot for their quarterfinal matchup against Sweden.
Team USA forward lines:
- B. Tkachuk – Eichel – M. Tkachuk
- Guentzel – Matthews – Boldy
- Keller – Larkin – Thompson
- J. Hughes – Nelson – Miller
- Trocheck
Team USA’s top-six has been their key to success and they will need them to step up again here against Sweden.
The fourth-line for Team USA has been solid defensively and on the penalty kill as Vincent Trocheck has rotated in with Jack Hughes, Brock Nelson and J.T. Miller.
Team USA defense lines:
- Q. Hughes – McAvoy
- Slavin – Faber
- Sanderson – Werenski
- Hanifin
USA head coach Mike Sullivan has yet to get Jackson LaCombe into the tournament and unless and injury happens, he will likely be a scratch from here on out. Sullivan has used these same seven defenseman and pairings and that will continue here in the quarters against Sweden.
Who is Team USA’s Starting Goalie?
For the rest of the men’s Olympic ice hockey tournament, it will be Connor Hellebuyck’s net.
Hellebuyck entered the tournament as the starter and he has played well. In the Olympics, Hellebuyck is 2-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA and a .952 SV% as he’s been dominant, although the strength of competiton hasn’t been the best as Sweden will be USA’s first true test.
Jake Oettinger is expected to dress as the backup again, as he dressed as the backup for Team USA’s final group stage game.
Team USA is also expecting a tough challenge against Sweden in the quarters.
“Obviously, they’ve got a lot of balance,” Sullivan said of the Swedes. “They’ve got a lot of goal scorers. They’re a good team. They’re a complete team. They play on both sides of the puck. We know it’s going to be a big challenge.”
Forward Brock Nelson echoed his coaches words and knows it will be Team USA’s toughest test to date.
“Tough test,” Nelson said. “One of the favorites coming into the tournament. Tons of speed and skill up front and on the back end. A ‘D’ corps that can move and make a lot of plays as the ‘D’ offensively, so tough matchup for us.”
USA enters the game as a -270 favorite.
Team Sweden Lines
Sweden beat Latvia in the qualfying round to advance to the quarters to take on Team USA. Throughout the tournament, Sweden coach Sam Hallam has made some questionable lineup decisions and scratches.
Team Sweden forward lines:
- Kempe – Eriksson Ek – Nylander
- Landeskog – Zibanejad – Raymond
- Forsberg – Pettersson – Rakell
- Holmberg – Wennberg – E. Lindholm
- Bratt
Sweden defense lines:
- Heman – Ekman-Larsson
- Forsling – Dahlin
- Broberg – Karlsson
- H. Lindholm
Team Sweden goalie:
- Markstrom
- Wallstedt
USA vs Sweden Line Combinations & Starting Goalies Revealed