Sweden head coach Sam Hallam told reporters he knows who’s starting in net Tuesday against Latvia in the men’s Olympic hockey qualification round, he just isn’t saying who, according to NHL.com’s Dan Rosen.
Both Filip Gustavsson of the Minnesota Wild and Jacob Markstrom of the New Jersey Devils have seen action so far at the Olympic tournament. Gustavsson’s Wild teammate Jesper Wallstedt is the third goalie on Sweden’s roster.
Sweden coach Sam Hallam said he has already decided who will start in net against Latvia on Tuesday. He did not say publicly who it would be, but the decision has been made. Filip Gustavsson and Jacob Markstrom have both played for Sweden here. Both have a win.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) February 16, 2026
Gustavsson started the first two games for Sweden but struggled early in each outing, allowing two goals on the first four shots he faced in their tournament-opening win over Italy last Wednesday and letting in two of his first six shots in their 4-1 defeat against Finland on Friday. Gustavsson has allowed five goals on 45 shots combined through two games at Milano Cortina 2026, a save percentage of .888.
Sweden turned to Markstrom Saturday against Slovakia, who stopped 29 of 32 shots in a 5-3 victory. Wallstedt served as the backup for the Swedes during their preliminary round finale.
“Let us see,” Hallam said of his goaltending decision after the win over Slovakia. ”(Markstrom) showed good presence. I like the way he plays with the puck. He started a couple of breakouts for us. He felt big, felt solid, so he did a good impression on me, yeah.”
Gustavsson has been solid for the Wild for far in 2025-26 with a 2.61 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage in 36 games.
The 36-year-old Markstrom has a 3.20 GAA average and a .882 save percentage in 30 games for the New Jersey Devils so far this NHL season.
The winner of Sweden and Latvia will play the undefeated U.S. in the Olympic quarter-final on Wednesday.