Mattias Ekholm and Viktor Arvidsson are scratched for Sweden's must-win game against the United States.

Team Sweden is making moves.

Hanging on by a thread after consecutive overtime losses to Canada and Finland, Sweden needs to beat the United States tonight while Canada loses to Finland to punch their ticket to the championship game at the 4 Nations Face-Off. To that end, head coach Sam Hallam is making some changes to his lineup.

Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson and Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson will draw in for the Tre Kronor, at the expense of Edmonton Oilers Mattias Ekholm and Viktor Arvidsson.

It's a little surprising to see assistant captain Ekholm removed from the lineup, though with Sweden's stacked blueline, there aren't any great choices to scratch. Ekholm has one assist in the first two games, mostly next to Erik Karlsson, and is still recovering from what sounds like a nasty cold that's been dogging him since before the tournament started.

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Arvidsson's removal is less surprising. His average ice time of 9:48 is one of the lowest in the tournament, and he's struggled to produce for the Oilers since being named to Team Sweden in December. 

He'll be replaced by the 20-year-old sophomore Carlsson, who will gain valuable experience in his audition for the 2026 Olympics. The 2023 second-overall pick has 19 points in 48 games for the Ducks this season, and at his best will bring size and tons of skill to Sweden's bottom six.

Replacing Ekholm will be his Flames rival, Rasmus Andersson, in the middle of another solid season eating big minutes for Calgary. The addition of the right-handed Andersson likely means a shuffling of Sweden's defense pairs, as lefty Jonas Brodin should be able to shift back to his regular side of the ice.

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The implications of Sweden's game against the United States depend on the result of Canada-Finland. A regulation win for either team would eliminate the Swedes, while an overtime result and Sweden win in regulation would set up a Sweden-U.S. rematch in the final on Thursday.

The United States, meanwhile, has already clinched its spot in the final with a spotless 2-0 record. They're likely to rest Matthew Tkachuk on Monday against Sweden after he sustained an injury in Saturday's win over Canada.

Canada and Finland play at 11:00 MT, while Sweden and the U.S. start at 6:00 as the 4 Nations Face-Off shifts to Boston's TD Garden.

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