Sweden’s odds improved as William Nylander and Victor Hedman returned to NHL action, boosting medal prospects; lingering doubts over Gabriel Landeskog and Elias Lindholm advise caution for futures bettors — consider backing Sweden in early group matches (favored vs Italy) but hold off large pre-tournament outright bets until Landeskog’s status is confirmed.
Sweden’s Olympic hockey outlook brightens as key stars return
Team Sweden faces the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey tournament with renewed optimism after two cornerstone players returned from injury just before the Games. The opening puck drops on Feb. 11, and Sweden’s ability to compete for gold hinges on health and depth after several high-profile absences.
Key injuries and recent returns
Nylander and Hedman back in action
William Nylander returned to the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup on Jan. 31 and Victor Hedman resumed play in the NHL’s Stadium Series on Feb. 1. Their comebacks restore top-end scoring and veteran defensive stability, respectively, two elements Sweden sorely needed to match the firepower of Canada, the U.S. and Finland.
Landeskog remains uncertain
Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog, a veteran leader widely regarded as the emotional core of Sweden’s roster, has missed 13 games with an upper-body injury sustained Jan. 4.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said the timeline is tight but left room for Landeskog to be ready by the Olympics if he isn’t cleared immediately. His availability will be a key storyline leading into Milan.
Lindholm considered day-to-day
Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm has recently missed games with an upper-body ailment and did not travel for one matchup, but Bruins coach Marco Sturm described him as day-to-day and not expected to be ruled out for the Olympics. That status, however, will still be monitored closely.
Group-stage schedule and immediate challenges
Sweden opens Olympic play Feb. 11 against Italy, follows with a heated rivalry game vs. Finland on Feb. 13, and closes group play against Slovakia on Feb. 14. The early matchups give Sweden a chance to build momentum, but the Finland game will be an early litmus test for both health and chemistry.
Tactical implications for Sweden
With Nylander back, Sweden regains a primary offensive driver who can create matchups and space for linemates. Hedman’s return shores up the right side on the blue line and adds experience on the penalty kill and power play coverage.
If Landeskog and Lindholm are limited or absent, Sweden will need secondary scoring to step up and rely on structured defense to slow elite opponents.
Betting outlook and market implications
From a wagering perspective, Nylander and Hedman re-entering the lineup should shorten Sweden’s odds in group-stage markets and improve their medal probabilities.
However, uncertainty around Landeskog and Lindholm advises prudence: consider match-specific bets (Sweden vs. Italy) and hedged parlays rather than large outright futures until full medical clarity is available.
Monitor official practice reports in the days before Feb. 11 for final status updates.
What to watch before the tournament
Check final roster announcements and practice availability for Landeskog and Lindholm.
Watch special teams performance in the first Olympic game — Sweden’s power play and penalty kill will be decisive against top-tier opponents.
The Feb. 13 Sweden–Finland matchup will be a key indicator of Sweden’s medal ceiling.
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