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.

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.

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

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.