In their Olympic opener, Sweden's ice hockey team, known as Tre Kronor, was surprisingly pressured by the host nation, Italy. Just over four minutes into the game, a slip by Swedish goaltender Filip Gustavsson allowed Italian player Luca Frigo to capitalize and score the first goal, putting Sweden on the back foot. However, Sweden quickly responded with Gabriel Landeskog leveling the score at 1-1 five minutes later during a power play, followed by Gustav Forsling scoring to give Sweden a 2-1 lead as the first period neared its end.

Despite taking control with two quick goals, Sweden found themselves shocked once again as Italy struck back early in the second period. Dustin Gazley maneuvered behind the Swedish goal to assist Matt Bradley, who scored, making it 2-2 after Italy had taken just four shots. Refusing to succumb to the pressure, Sweden rallied once more. William Nylander helped regain the lead, putting the score at 3-2 after a skilled offensive play by Rasmus Dahlin, showcasing Sweden's resilience and determination.

The back-and-forth nature of the match highlighted the intensity of Olympic competition, especially with Italy, a country not traditionally known as a hockey powerhouse, challenging a historically strong team like Tre Kronor. As Sweden continued to push for victory, the dynamics of this match could serve as a reminder of the unpredictability of Olympic hockey, setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead as they prepare for further challenges in the competition.