Finland's men's national ice hockey team faced a disappointing start to their Olympic campaign with a 1-4 loss to Slovakia in their opening match. This defeat, while not eliminating them from contention, significantly impacts their chances of securing a direct path to the quarterfinals. In the current Olympic format, all 12 teams are divided into three groups, with the group winners advancing directly to the quarterfinals, while the rest must compete in the knockout stage starting with the quarterfinals.

The implications of this setback are crucial for Finland, as they now find themselves in a position where they must win both of their upcoming matches against Italy and Sweden to have a shot at finishing atop their group. The match against Sweden will be particularly significant; not only is Sweden a formidable opponent, but it is also vital for Finland to secure as many points as possible to improve their standings. Victory in the group stage is important, as it offers the advantage of an extra day of rest before the quarterfinals, a crucial factor in a swift tournament format.

With the quarterfinals scheduled for February 17 and the semifinals the following day, the pressure is on Finland to perform exceptionally in their next games. Their hopes for advancing without playing an additional elimination match hinge on favorable outcomes and strong performances in these pivotal fixtures against Italy and Sweden.