MILAN – As the anticipation builds for the Olympic qualification round, Swedish winger William Nylander brushed aside questions about a potential matchup with fellow Toronto Maple Leafs teammate Auston Matthews, instead focusing on the immediate challenge of facing Latvia on Tuesday.
Sweden, having finished third in its preliminary-round group, must conquer Latvia to secure a place in the quarter-finals against the United States, who have already advanced after a flawless preliminary round. Team USA showcased their prowess by defeating Germany 5-1 on Sunday, with Matthews leading the charge by netting two goals and adding an assist.
“I’m feeling good,” Matthews stated, downplaying his individual success in favor of team cohesion. “It’s about the team. Everybody’s contributing and doing the right things.” Matthews has been instrumental in the tournament, sharing the team scoring lead with five points and ranking high in crucial stats, including goal probability.
The Tkachuk brothers also shone in the victory, proving their defensive mettle against stellar opponents like Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers. Matthews lauded their impact on the game, acknowledging their effectiveness in making life difficult for the opposition.
As Team USA prepares for the quarter-finals, the Swedish squad is also gearing up, aiming to deepen their play after securing two wins in the group stage. Despite their success, Sweden’s third-place finish was influenced by a tiebreaker based on goal differential, which has only added to their motivation.
“Our mood is great,” said defenceman Victor Hedman. “We’re excited to go play an Olympic elimination game.” Meanwhile, teammate Rasmus Dahlin emphasized the learning opportunities from previous games, believing the team’s experience can fuel their performance.
Head coach Sam Hallam is optimistic, focusing on the positives from Sweden’s games thus far. He stressed the need for the players to remember their strengths and the quality of hockey they can deliver, despite some setbacks from narrow margins in previous matches.
Nylander highlighted the need for increased offensive-zone time, while Hedman called for a better start and Dahlin urged a straightforward attacking approach. The pressure is palpable as the team seeks the right strategy to advance.
With the excitement of Olympic competition at the forefront, the Swedish players remain focused on their abilities, intent on making a deep run in the tournament. Nylander expressed the thrill of competing at such a high level, reminding everyone of the stakes involved—this is what Olympic hockey is all about.