Finland needs a win after what happened to them in their first game. For two periods, they were able to keep things close against the United States, including briefly holding a lead in the first period. However, the U.S. blitzed Sumoi for four goals in the third period to come away with a 6-1 win.

Both teams enter the matchup with knowledge of the historic rivalry but also know the importance of staying alive in the tournament.

Sweden is third in the 4 Nations Face-Off standings with one point it earned in a 4-3 overtime loss to Canada on Wednesday. Finland lost 6-1 to the U.S. on Thursday and will be eliminated from contention to be in the final if they lose to Sweden in regulation.

Finland is making a change in net for its second game of the 4 Nations Face-Off. Coach Antti Pennanen said Kevin Lankinen will start against Sweden on Saturday after Juuse Saros allowed six goals on 32 shots in Finland's 6-1 loss to the United States in each team's first game of the tournament.

The two last faced each other in the IIHF World Championship in 2019. Finland defeated Sweden 5-4 in overtime in the quarterfinals and went on to win gold; Lankinen allowed four goals on 18 shots in that game, including one by Pettersson. “As of now we’re not teammates for a week,” Lankinen said. “But maybe when we get back, we’ll talk more.”

Following a crushing defeat to the Americans, Finnish Head Coach Antti Pennanen told media Friday that Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen will get the start Saturday against Sweden.