Team Sweden needs one point to clinch a berth in the semifinals. It leads the Group B standings with four points on regulation wins against Team Russia and Team Finland by a combined score of 4-1. Team North America is tied with Team Russia with two points, but Team Russia holds the tiebreaker because of its head-to-head win against Team North America. Team Russia doesn't play its last preliminary round game until Thursday against Team Finland. A win of any kind by Team North America against Team Sweden will put Team Russia in a must-win situation Thursday. A loss of any kind by Team North America means Team Russia would need one point against Team Finland to advance into the semifinals.
Team North America is coming off of a 4-3 loss to Team Russia on Monday. It allowed four goals in a span of 6:14 in the second period. Otherwise, it had control of the game and outshot Team Russia 19-4 in the third period and 27-6 after Team Russia took a 4-1 lead at 15:43 of the second.