MILAN — Team USA’s inextricable advantage in these Olympics, and certainly over Team Sweden in Wednesday’s quarterfinal, resides in their net.
Connor Hellebuyck is having a down year for the Winnipeg Jets. You wouldn’t know it based on his play for Team USA so far in this tournament.
“He’s a gamer. I believe in him and no one else I’d want to have in the net than him,” Dylan Larkin said of Hellebuyck, who will almost assuredly start the rest of the way for the Americans. “I learned quickly last year at 4 Nations, giving up a big chance or something happens and you’re like, ‘Oh, we got that guy.’ It’s nice when you have that.”
Through two starts at the Olympics — Jeremy Swayman played Team USA’s second game of the preliminary round against Denmark — Hellebuyck has stopped 40 of 42 shots, looking at ease.
Sweden, meanwhile, has a serious dilemma on its hands as to who should even start Wednesday. Jacob Markstrom played Tuesday against Latvia and has appeared to overtake Filip Gustavsson as the No. 1, but it would be a lot to play him twice in two days. Gustavsson struggled in both of his two starts. Jesper Wallstedt has yet to play at the Olympics.
There are no such issues for Team USA.
“This is exciting,” Hellebuyck said. “This is why I play the game. I don’t chase the money, I don’t chase the fame. I play for fun. And these are those moments that I really enjoy.”
Team USA coach Mike Sullivan started his availability Tuesday by commenting on the shooting at a hockey rink in Pawtucket, R.I.
“That certainly is close to home for me, growing up in Massachusetts, two of our coaches are from Rhode Island and what a terrible tragedy and something that hits close to home,” Sullivan said. “I just wanted to acknowledge the incident, and let everyone know how sorry we are and that we feel for them, and for their friends and family.”
The boards at Milan’s Santagiulia Arena were changed to a lighter blue and green color, reportedly following player feedback.
There was speculation that the darker color led to Jeremy Swayman losing the puck on the goal he allowed from just inside the red line against Denmark, though the Team USA netminder denied that postgame.
Brock Nelson donned a fishbowl helmet at Team USA’s practice, while Charlie McAvoy’s fishbowl was gone.
2026 WINTER OLYMPICS
Coach Mike Sullivan confirmed Nelson suffered a facial injury.
Josh Morrissey and Brad Marchand were both full participants at Team Canada’s practice after missing the past two games with injury.
Marchand is available for Wednesday, per coach Jon Cooper, who said he would need to see about Morrissey.
Nathan MacKinnon and Sam Bennett missed Canada’s practice with what was described as maintenance. They are expected to be good to go Wednesday.
