Merzlikins will defend the Latvian crease against the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Thursday, according to Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site.

Merzlikins won his last three starts in a Columbus uniform prior to the Olympic break, turning aside 70 of 75 shots. He is 11-8-1 with a 3.48 GAA and an .888 save percentage over 21 contests this season. Merzlikins has a tough matchup against the mighty American team, which includes Blue Jackets teammate Zach Werenski.

Binnington will draw the starting assignment versus Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Thursday, per Dan Rosen of NHL.com.

Binnington has struggled during the current NHL season, posting an 8-17-6 record with a 3.65 GAA and an .864 save percentage. Binnington gets the start following his outstanding play at the 4 Nations Face-Off, where he led Canada to the championship over the United States. The Czechs have some NHL players on their roster, including David Pastrnak.

Dostal will be between the pipes when Czechia takes on Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Thursday, Mark Masters of TSN reports.

Dostal won eight of his last nine starts with the Ducks prior to the start of the Olympics. He is 21-13-2 with a 2.92 GAA and an .897 save percentage across 38 appearances this season. He will have a tough matchup, as Canada is one of the favorites to win the gold medal at the Olympics.

Hellebuyck will get the start in net for the United States versus Latvia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.

Hellebuyck has struggled at times this season in the NHL, but the 32-year-old is regarded as the best goaltender in the NHL over the last four seasons. He is 13-16-7 with a 2.79 GAA and a .900 save percentage across 36 contests with the Jets in 2025-26 after winning the Vezina Trophy the previous two seasons.

Hlavaj stopped 39 of 40 shots in Slovakia's 4-1 win over Finland on Wednesday in the preliminary round of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Hlavaj had the daunting task of facing a talented Finnish roster, but he was up for the challenge. He made 18 saves on 18 shots in the first period. The 24-year-old will probably get another chance to play in Slovakia's second game of the tournament against Italy on Friday.

Saros stopped 21 of 24 shots in Finland's 4-1 loss to Slovakia on Wednesday in the preliminary round of the 2026 Winter Olympics. The fourth goal was an empty-netter.

Saros was beaten twice by Juraj Slafkovsky and once by Dalibor Dvorsky before Adam Ruzicka closed things out late in the third with an empty-netter. Joonas Korpisalo and Kevin Lankinen are the other goalies on the Finnish roster, with their next game coming against Sweden on Friday.

Contrary to a previous report, Gustavsson is expected to start for Sweden against Italy on Wednesday at the 2026 Winter Olympics, per Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press.

Jacob Markstrom initially looked like he would get the start, but it now seems he'll serve as the understudy. Gustavsson has a 20-9-6 record, 2.64 GAA and .906 save percentage in 36 outings with Minnesota in 2025-26. The 27-year-old Gustavsson will face the host nation. However, Italy doesn't have any players presently on NHL rosters and is a heavy underdog going into this match.

Markstrom won't start for Sweden during Wednesday's game against Italy at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.

A previous report indicated that Markstrom would draw the start during Wednesday's tournament opener, but Filip Gustavsson will ultimately tend the twine against the host nation. Markstrom will still dress as the backup goaltender, and it's possible that he sees some playing time if the score gets out of hand.

Wallstedt (illness) won't be in the lineup for Team Sweden's game against Italy on Wednesday at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Wallstedt missed Minnesota's 6-5 overtime win over Nashville last Wednesday. However, he was available for Sweden for the start of the Olympics, according to Bill Price of NHL.com. Wallstedt has a 14-5-4 record, 2.72 GAA and .913 save percentage in 23 outings with the Wild in 2025-26. Filip Gustavsson is set to start for Sweden on Wednesday.

Markstrom is set to start for Team Sweden against Italy on Wednesday at the 2026 Winter Olympics, per Kyle Cushman of theScore.

Markstrom has a 15-13-1 record, 3.20 GAA and .882 save percentage in 30 outings with New Jersey in 2025-26. It will be Sweden and Italy's opening game of the tournament. Although Italy is the host nation, the Italian team is the clear underdog with a team that includes no players currently in the NHL.