The Men’s Ice Hockey Qualification Play-Off begins Tuesday, February 17, and my top Sweden vs. Latvia predictions and free betting picks have you covered for the nightcap between the two nations.

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.

The odds, the forward says, are stacked against Team Latvia when it faces Team Sweden in the win-or-go-home qualification round of the men's hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 at Santaguilia Arena on Tuesday (3:10 p.m. ET; Peacock, USA, ICI Télé, CBC Gem).

Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins loses to Sweden, finishes Winter Olympics 0-2-0 after facing Latvia's two toughest opponents.

Sweden and Latvia face off in the qualifiers in this men's ice hockey playoff matchup during the 2026 Winter Olympics on Tuesday.

It’s a bit of a shock that Sweden is playing on Tuesday, but a lackluster showing in the group stage doomed the Swedes, causing them to miss out on a bye to the quarterfinals. The result is a qualifying round showdown against Latvia,

Finland won the bronze medal in men’s hockey at the Olympics for a third consecutive time with NHL players participating, beating Slovakia 6-1