Two teams with differing expectations meet in the first round of the knockout stage, as Lucas Raymond and Sweden take on Latvia in the men’s playoff qualifiers at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

While Norway rules the 2026 medal table, its hockey teams are at home — a stark difference from its Nordic neighbors Sweden and Finland.

In an elimination game with a berth to the quarterfinals on the line, Adrian Kempe helped lead Sweden past Latvia, scoring a goal and building his case as one of the tournament’s most reliable two-way wingers.