Nylander Cleared to Play; Gustavsson Starts in Goal for Sweden’s Olympic Opener
William Nylander is set to play for Team Sweden in their Olympic opener against Team Italy. Filip Gustavsson will start as the goalie for this highly anticipated match. The game is part of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 and is scheduled for Wednesday at 3:10 p.m. ET.
Nylander’s Role in the Team
Nylander, a skilled forward with the Toronto Maple Leafs, participated in the team’s morning skate after missing practice the day before. His condition was closely monitored by the coaching staff. Head coach Sam Hallam underscored Nylander’s importance to the squad, referring to him as a vital “X-factor.”
- Nylander’s team contributions noted by forward Lucas Raymond.
- Raymond expressed hope for Nylander’s readiness for the game.
Gustavsson Takes the Goal
Filip Gustavsson has been officially named the starting goalie. The decision comes after Hallam chose to keep his options under wraps since the team’s arrival. Gustavsson is having an impressive season in the NHL, holding a record of 20 wins, 9 losses, and 6 overtime losses. He sports a goals-against average of 2.64 and a .907 save percentage over 36 games this season.
Goalie Statistics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Wins | 20 |
| Losses | 9 |
| Overtime Losses | 6 |
| Goals-Against Average | 2.64 |
| Save Percentage | .907 |
Looking Ahead
Coach Hallam mentioned that if all goes well, Gustavsson will likely start against Finland on Friday. The other goalies in the lineup include Jacob Markstrom or Jesper Wallstedt, who may start against Slovakia on Saturday. For their match against Team Italy, Markstrom will serve as the backup goalie.
