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The United States men’s hockey team has had an impressive start, going undefeated in the preliminary round of the 2026 Olympics. They’ve now carried their perfect 3-0-0 record into the exciting knockout stage.

Team USA is ranked as the No. 2 seed in the quarterfinals, right behind Canada. While they’re aiming for the gold medal, they know they’ve got challenging games ahead in the quarterfinals and semifinals.

STREAM: Watch USA vs. Sweden hockey game live on Peacock

Before the Americans can even think about Canada, they must get past Sweden, which punched its ticket to the quarterfinals with a big win over Latvia on Tuesday.

Despite a roster composed entirely of NHL players, Sweden’s progression to the knockout stage was underwhelming. Sweden finished 3rd in their group, holding a record of two wins and one loss.

The Sporting News is tracking live scores, exciting updates, and highlights from the USA versus Sweden men’s ice hockey game.

MORE 2026 OLYMPICS: Live medal tracker | Viewer’s guide | Day-by-day schedule

USA vs. Sweden hockey score

USA vs. Sweden live updates, highlights from 2026 Olympic men’s hockey quarterfinal

4:28 p.m.: Since breaking the scoreless tie, the U.S. has had the better of the chances, but Markstrom has been there to make the saves. The last one was on Werenski, where he got his glove on a shot from the left side.

4:25 p.m.: The U.S. is on the front foot, now getting a chance with the Tkachuk brothers on the ice. Brady’s shot is saved by Markstrom, and a scrum breaks out after.

We’re under seven minutes in the second.

United States 1, Sweden 0

4:22 p.m. GOAL: The United States strike first.

It’s Dylan Larkin, who scores his first goal of the tournament on a tip in from a Jack Hughes shot. The Detroit Red Wing elevated the shot right before the goalie could track it.

With it, Team USA leads 1-0.

4:21 p.m.: Markstrom keeps making the big saves when Sweden needs them most.

He gives up a rebound on a Quinn Hughes shot, but the puck bounces to Charlie McAvoy; though, Markstrom is there to track it.

4:19 p.m.: Now, it’s Eichel who walks in and brings the puck to his forehand. He gets Markstrom to dive but puts it over the net.

We’re more than halfway through and the game stays scoreless.

4:17 p.m.: With 10:10 left in the second, the puck will drop in the U.S. zone after two saves by Hellebuyck.

The first was on Raymond, with the puck dribbling past him. Then, a shot from the point is swallowed up.

4:16 p.m.: Team USA might have had it’s best chance of the game, with Jake Guentzel getting a feed from Matthews right in front of Markstrom, but it’s saved.

No. 59 tried going five hole, but Markstrom’s stick was there to keep the game 0-0.

4:11 p.m.: At the first break in the second period, it’s been Sweden who has been the better team.

It feels like the Swedes are faster to the puck. But, some chances have went wide of the net.

4:05 p.m.: The first real chance of the period comes from Tage Thompson, who gets a slapshot from the left circle, but once again, it goes into Markstrom’s chest.

4:02 p.m.: The second period is underway with the U.S. and Sweden still tied.

Both teams are looking to break the ice.

End of the first period: United States 0, Sweden 0

3:44 p.m.: The first period has concluded in Milan with the game still 0-0.

This has been a back-and-forth affair, with both teams getting a fair share of chances. Though, the goalies have stood tall.

Let’s see who breaks the deadlock in the second.

3:41 p.m.: Hellebuyck has made some big saves to keep the game scoreless. Here, he gets his pad on a shot from Rasmus Dahlin for his 10th of the day.

3:36 p.m.: Now, the puck trickles to Jaccob Slavin, who has his one-timer blocked by Markstrom.

A few seconds later, Jack Hughes has a chance and his slapshot is swallowed up by the Swedish goaltender, who is up to 10 saves on the day.

3:32 p.m.: With 6:40 remaining, the U.S. and Sweden remain in a stalemate.

Shots are 8-8 in what’s been an even game so far.

3:26 p.m.: Markstrom keeps the game 0-0, with Eichel getting a shot from the left circle but the goaltender sweeping it up.

3:23 p.m.: 10 minutes in and the game is 0-0.

Both the U.S. and Sweden have had opportunities, but the game stays deadlocked.

3:22 p.m.: Sweden has been the better team since the power play, controlling most of the play in the offensive zone.

The Swedes have levelled the U.S. in shots, rattling off six straight.

3:20 p.m.: Sweden has its first shot, with Lucas Raymond’s shot getting paved away by Connor Hellebuyck’s blocker.

They follow it with another sustained period in the USA zone, getting three shots.

3:18 p.m.: The power play is killed, with the U.S. getting three shots.

The shot margin is 6-0 early in the game.

3:17 p.m.: The U.S. has had its chances in the power play. First, it was Auston Matthews getting a shot from the point, then a sequence later Brady Tkachuk’s shot is saved by Markstrom’s pad.

3:15 p.m.: We have our first penalty today, and it’s against Sweden.

Jack Eichel gets a defender to bite on a deke before his backhand is saved by Markstrom, but there is a slashing penalty on Gustav Forsling.

It sends the U.S. to the power play; the team has converted 3-of-7 tries this tournament.

3:13 p.m.: Now, it’s the U.S. with some time in the offensive zone.

Zach Werenski’s shot is saved by Jacob Markstrom, then a Quinn Hughes shot is wide.

3:12 p.m.: Sweden has its first real time in the zone, with the Colorado Avalanche‘s Gabriel Landeskog ripping a shot wide.

It goes back to the Swedish zone as the clock goes under 19 minutes.

3:11 p.m.: We are underway in Milan.

For the U.S., it’s the Tkachuks and Jack Eichel to start off.

3:08 p.m.: The teams are making their way onto the ice.

First, it’s Sweden, the No. 6 seed looking to pull off an upset. They’re followed by the Americans, who are looking to defeat Sweden at the Olympics for the first time since 1960.

3:02 p.m.: It’s the top of the hour and the final quarterfinal is minutes away. 

Will it be Team USA or Sweden moving on?

2:54 p.m.: We have one more quarterfinal game to decide.

After Finland’s overtime win against Switzerland, here’s how the semifinal matchups would look depending on USA-Sweden.

2:43 p.m.: The U.S. knows what’s on the line today. It’s a best of one.

2:36 p.m.: Team USA has arrived.

For the second time, the Americans don their blue tracksuits, symboling that they will be wearing blue jerseys for today’s contest.

2:28 p.m.: On the other side, Sweden rolls with pretty much the same lineup from the win against Latvia.

2:12 p.m.: The lineup is out for Team USA.

There aren’t any major changes from the group stage, except for Vincent Trocheck being the extra forward and Clayton Keller slotting into the lineup.

1:50 p.m.: Every time the U.S. steps on the ice, it plays with a heavy heart in honor of Johnny Gaudreau.

Gaudreau, who was killed in a drunk driving crash in summer 2024, has represented Team USA on the international stage and most think he have been on the Milan team.

Now, his jersey hangs in the Team USA locker room.

1:39 p.m.: Some more pregame notes: Team USA is looking to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2014, which was the last time NHL players were in the games.

1:32 p.m.: The U.S. is looking for its first gold medal since the Miracle on Ice, and with Sweden on the agenda today fans remember this famous scene.

1:16 p.m.: Two teams have punched their tickets to the semifinals.

First, it was Slovakia, who pummeled Germany. Then, in a shocking game, the favorite Canada squeaked by Czechia in overtime thanks to a Mitch Marner goal.

1:09 p.m.: People have traveled from far to watch Team USA, and now, it’s time to bring the energy.

1:00 p.m.: Sweden secured their place in the quarterfinals with a dominant 5-1 victory over Latvia, led by multi-point performances from Gabriel Landeskog, Mika Zibanejad, and William Nylander.

The game was effectively decided early in the first period when Adrian Kempe and Landeskog scored just 41 seconds apart to give the Swedes a lead they never relinquished.

While Latvia managed to cut the deficit to 3-1 in the second, Sweden’s suffocating puck possession and a 20-save effort from Jacob Markstrom allowed them to close out the win and set up their high-stakes meeting with the United States.

12:40 p.m.: History is not on the side of the U.S.

You have to go all the way back to 1960 to find Team USA’s last win over its opponent.

Today, the “greatest roster ever assembled” looks to break an eight-game non-win streak.

12:25 p.m.: The men’s team isn’t the only one going for gold, with the Team USA women’s team playing Canada in the gold medal game on Thursday.

Today, captain Hilary Knight got engaged to her fellow partner, fellow Olympian Brittney Bowe.

12:06 p.m.: In goal for the United States: Connor Hellebuyck.

The reigning Vezina Trophy winner has given up two goals this tournament.

12:03 p.m.: It’s do-or-die time for Team USA.

Today, the knockout stages get underway with a matchup against Sweden, one of the other hockey powerhouses in the world. The Swedes are coming off a 5-1 win over Latvia in the playoff round.

MORE OLYMPIC HOCKEY NEWS:

How to watch USA vs. Sweden hockey game

USA vs. Sweden start time

  • Date: Wednesday, February 18
  • Time: 3:10 p.m. ET

The United States’ quarterfinal matchup against Sweden will begin at 3:10 p.m. ET from Milan.

What channel is USA vs. Sweden on today?

  • TV Channel: NBC
  • Live stream: Peacock

NBC will have coverage of the USA vs. Sweden quarterfinal game. Additionally, the game can be live-streamed on Peacock.

MORE: Why USA vs. Canada can’t happen until 2026 gold medal game

Olympic hockey schedule 2026

Quarterfinals 

Wednesday, February 18

Time (ET) Matchup TV/Live stream
6:10 a.m. No. 3 Slovakia vs. No. 6 Germany Peacock
10:40 a.m. No. 1 Canada vs. No. 8 Czechia USA, Peacock
12:10 p.m. No. 4 Finland vs. No. 5 Switzerland Peacock
3:10 p.m. No. 2 USA vs. No. 7 Sweden NBC, Peacock

Semifinals

Friday, February 20

Time (ET) Matchup TV/Live stream
10:40 a.m. TBD Peacock
1:10 p.m. TBD NBC, Peacock

Bronze Medal Game

Time (ET) Matchup TV/Live stream
2:40 p.m.  TBD USA, Peacock

Gold medal game

Time (ET) Matchup TV/Live stream
8:10 a.m. TBD NBC, Peacock

MORE: USA men’s hockey Olympic schedule

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