USA clips Sweden in OT thriller to reach Olympic men's hockey semifinals

MILAN — The United States overcame a late tying goal, beat Sweden in an overtime thriller and is heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey semifinals.

Quinn Hughes, who had missed last year's 4 Nations Face-Off with an injury, was the difference maker, scoring at 3:27 of overtime for a 2-1 victory on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Hughes was mobbed by USA teammates after the game, including his brother Jack.

The USA had appeared to be in control of the game after Dylan Larkin scored in the second period, set up by Jack and Quinn Hughes, and goalie Connor Hellebuyck was stopping everything that came his way.

But Sweden connected after pulling Jacob Markstrom for an extra skater. Lucas Raymond, Sweden's best player at the Olympics, made a cross-ice pass to Mika Zibanejad for the tying goal with 1:31 left in the third period.

The USA didn't let down after the tying goal. It outshot Sweden 6-0 in overtime. Quinn Hughes took a pass from Matt Boldy near the boards, circled back, skated between the faceoff circles and ripped a shot past Markstrom.

The Americans will face Slovakia in the semifinals on Friday, Feb. 20. Canada and defending champion Finland, who rallied and won in overtime, will play in the other semifinal.

Sweden had played a day earlier against Latvia and the USA, which had a bye, took advantage, outshooting Sweden 20-8 in the second period. Larkin scored in the period, tipping in a Jack Hughes shot for his first goal of the tournament.

Compounding Sweden’s fatigue, Victor Hedman was injured in the warmups and wasn’t able to play. He spent the game watching on the bench.

Hughes' goal gave the United States its first victory against Sweden in the NHL era (1998-2014, plus this year). The USA had lost to Sweden in 1998 and 2006.

But the Americans have gone 4-0 in 2026 and have put themselves in position for their first medal since they won silver in 2010.

USA TODAY provided live coverage of the USA vs. Sweden quarterfinal matchup at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Here are the highlights.

USA nervous in overtime before Quinn Hughes scored

USA players were nervous as overtime began against Sweden in the quarterfinals.

"That's as nervous as I've been ever in a hockey game," said Dylan Larkin, who scored in regulation. "Just the way 3-on-3 goes, it's really just being opportunistic. Someone could fall, some puck could bounce, anything could happen, especially with the ice out there."

Then Quinn Hughes stepped on the ice and scored the winning goal.

"That was one of the best feelings I've ever had," Brady Tkachuk said. "Just the relief of scoring that goal, but seeing it was him, I think it just shows why he's one of the best defensemen in the show."

Quinn Hughes' game-winning goal in OT

Watch it from every angle.

USA wins

Quinn Hughes scores in overtime. The defenseman's play is showing what the USA missed when he was hurt and couldn't play in the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Overtime underway

10 minutes and then a shootout if not decided.

USA vs Sweden headed to overtime

Sweden ties it late and we have the third overtime game of the quarterfinals.

Sweden ties game

Lucas Raymond sets up Mika Zibanejad for the tying goal with 1:31 left. Sweden had pulled Jacob Markstrom for an extra skater.

USA chants start

3 minutes left

5 minutes left

Still 1-0 USA.

7 minutes left

Connor Hellebuyck makes a pokecheck to break up a Swedish chance. Still 1-0 USA.

Swedish players collide

Joel Eriksson Ek collides with Lucas Raymond. Eriksson Ek skates off gingerly.

Sweden goes on power play

Vincent Trocheck is called for tripping. He usually kills penalties. Brock Faber makes a good defensive. USA kills penalty.

Jesper Bratt gets first shift

The Swedish forward has been sitting the whole game until the third period.

Third period underway

USA leads 1-0. The Americans will face Slovakia in the semifinals if they hold on.

USA men's hockey leads Sweden 1-0 after two periods

Swedes starting to look tired, USA with a much more dominant second period. Dylan Larkin came through with his first goal of the tournament when he tipped Jack Hughes' shot around the midpoint. USA kept momentum going, outshooting Sweden 20-8 in the second period. 

USA men's hockey goes on power play

Hampus Lindholm is called for tripping. Jacob Markstrom stops Tage Thompson and dives on the rebound. Five shots for the USA, now 0-for-2 tonight on the power play.

USA men's hockey score: Dylan Larkin gets goal

Dylan Larkin tips in a Jack Hughes shot at 11:03 of the second period, shortly after a faceoff win. Quinn Hughes gets the second assist. USA 1, Sweden 0

USA men's hockey chance

Auston Matthews makes a nice backhand pass to Jake Guentzel in front, but Jacob Markstrom makes the save.

Victor Hedman injury update

From Sweden hockey: Hedman suffered a lower-body injury during the warmup and will not play tonight. Further evaluation  will take place after the game. 

Connor Hellebuyck makes big save

The USA goalie robs Lucas Raymond to keep the game scoreless.

Victor Hedman injury update

Victor Hedman has yet to play in this game because of an injury suffered in warmup, coach Sam Hallam told Swedish television.

Second period underway

Still scoreless, but the USA has been strong in second periods at this tournament.

USA, Sweden scoreless after first period

The USA had a strong start, running up a 6-0 edge in shots as U-S-A cheers reverberated from the stands. But about seven minutes in, the Swedes - who had played the night before - found their legs and gave as good as they got. Shots after 20 minutes were 10-10.

Simone Biles at USA hockey game vs. Sweden

Simone Biles' tour of the 2026 Winter Olympics continued on Wednesday when she stopped by the U.S. men's hockey game against Sweden in the quarterfinals. The 11-time Olympic medalist has swung through figure skating to watch Ilia Malinin skate, and speed skating for Jordan Stolz.

Charlie McAvoy has big hits

The USA defenseman has delivered big checks to Joel Eriksson Ek and Gabriel Landeskog in this period.

USA men's hockey chance

Jacob Markstrom makes a glove save on Jack Eichel.

USA vs Sweden update

It's scoreless midway through the first period. The USA had the first six shots, but Sweden had the next six as it presses.

USA men's hockey power play

Gustav Forsling is called for slashing after a Team USA rush. The USA gets three shots, but Sweden kills the penalty.

USA chants start

Lots of cheering at Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

USA vs Sweden game underway

Eichel-Tkachuks line starts. Connor Hellebuyck and Jacob Markstrom are the goalies.

What time is USA men's hockey vs. Sweden?

Puck drop is at 3:10 p.m. ET.

Where to watch USA men's hockey vs. Sweden?

NBC is broadcasting the game. Peacock is live streaming it.

Olympic men's hockey scores and schedule today

All times Eastern.

• Slovakia 6, Germany 2
• Canada 4, Czechia 3 (OT)
• Finland 3, Switzerland (OT)
• 3:10 p.m. - USA vs. Sweden, quarterfinals on NBC, Peacock

Goaltending matchup

USA's Connor Hellebuyck vs. Sweden's Jacob Markstrom. Markstrom is playing on back-to-back days.

USA lineup vs Sweden

Sweden lineup vs USA

How USA, Sweden reached quarterfinals

The USA beat Latvia 5-1, Denmark 6-3 and Germany 5-1 in the preliminary round to finish atop Group C and earn a bye to the quarterfinals. Sweden beat Italy 5-2, lost to Finland 4-1 and defeated Slovakia 5-3 to finish third in Group B. It beat Latvia 5-1 in the qualification round.

USA history vs. Sweden at the Olympics

This is the countries' 16th meeting at the Olympics. Team USA has won six times, Sweden seven times and two games ended in a tie. The teams last met in 2006, with Sweden winning 2-1 in the preliminary round on its way to a gold medal. Sweden also beat the USA 4-2 in the 1998 preliminary round.

USA men's hockey quarterfinals history

The USA has dropped its last two quarterfinal games, both 3-2 in a shootout, to Slovakia in 2022 and Czech Republic in 2018 when NHL players weren't used. The Americans are 4-5 all-time in the Olympics quarterfinals, according to USA Hockey. 

How the Olympics men's hockey tournament works

The 12 teams are divided into three groups. They are:

• Group A: Canada, Switzerland, Czechia, France
• Group B: Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
• Group C: USA, Germany, Latvia, Denmark

Teams play one game each against the other three teams in their group. Countries get three points for a regulation win, two for an overtime win, one for an overtime/shootout loss and zero for a regulation loss.

After the preliminary round is complete, teams are seeded 1 through 12 under the following criteria:

• Higher position in the group
• Higher number of points
• Better goal difference
• Higher number of goals scored for
• Better IIHF world ranking

The top four teams (group winners and best second-place team) get a bye to the quarterfinals. Teams 5-12 play in a qualifying round, with the winners going to the quarterfinals.

Playoff qualification games are on Feb. 17, quarterfinals are Feb. 18 and semifinals are Feb. 20.

The bronze medal game is Feb. 21 and the gold medal game is Sunday, Feb. 22.