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William Nylander Breaks Silence On Sweden's Disappointing 4 Nations Start
![Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) makes a save against Team Sweden forward William Nylander (88) in overtime during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/i/photo/529100.webp "Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) makes a save against Team Sweden forward William Nylander (88) in overtime during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
It hasn't been the start that Team Sweden had hoped for in the 4 Nations Faceoff, and star forward William Nylander has touched on their rocky beginning.
With Sweden having lost the first two games of the 4 Nations Faceoff (albeit being in overtime both games), the team is looking to refocus and has their sights set on the undefeated Team USA -- who are dealing with a pretty serious injury to Matthew Tkachuk after Saturday's insanity.
Sweden's top forward William Nylander understands how important it is for them to set the tone, and recently touched on his thoughts as to why it's been a bit of a rough go for the Tre Kronor so far:
We are playing too much on the outside. I think we have to get inside in the middle and attack more. I mean, USA was attacking and playing good at the other games. So, I mean, we have to get to the inside too if we want to compete with them.
So with a must-win game against the United States on Monday -- Can Nylander and the Swedes weather the American powerhouse?
Sweden's Morale Low, But William Nylander And Co. Still Hungry
Nylander admitted that the team wasn't exactly in high spirits after the two overtime losses, but are still going to fight tooth and nail regardless:
I mean, it's not great. We have two OT losses in two games. So, I mean, we just gotta regroup here and play the game against USA to go winning. And hopefully the scores go our way.
It's not for a lack of firepower either. Besides Nylander, Sweden has the likes of Mika Zibanejad, Filip Forsberg, Gustav Nyquist, Erik Karlsson, and Joel Eriksson Ek at their disposal. They've done well to score too, as they have six goals so far -- just haven't been able to secure a victory.
Nylander has kept his poise so far this tournament as well, given that Maple Leafs teammate Mitch Marner tried repeatedly to get under his skin, but to no avail.
He's done what he can so far though only registered one assist so far, but with Sweden looking for a big upset, expect Nylander to come out firing.
Don't expect the game to have the same level of intensity as the Canada/USA game, and there certainly won't be any anthem booing -- at least we hope.
Though through all the losses, and all the anticipation there is one particular thing that has irked Nylander above all things -- Finland.
More specifically, the supposed rivalry the two have (which was on display during their game). He relayed it to a more compeititve nature than anything else:
I mean, you guys build up the rivalry as if it's something crazy. But I mean, it's just, we just hate losing. Like, if you want to win this tournament, that's not going to help you when you lose two losses deep in a three-game tournament.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 17 | 478 ANSWERS William Nylander Breaks Silence On Sweden's Disappointing 4 Nations Start Do you think Team Sweden can pull off a comeback and make the Finals of the 4 Nations Faceoff? | ||
| Yes | 76 | 15.9 % |
| No | 402 | 84.1 % |
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