Team Sweden unveils plan to shut down Team USA's Tkachuk brothers in quarterfinal game on Wednesday
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Sam Walker
Feb 18, 2026 (9:02)
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Photo credit: Mike Segar/Reuters via Imagn Images
The Tkachuk brothers are officially the biggest headache for Team Sweden as the Olympic quarterfinals loom.
Matthew and Brady play a brand of hockey that makes opponents want to quit. They hit. They chirp. They score.
Stopping them isn't just a strategy for Tre Kronor. It's a necessity for survival.
The Swedish coaching staff knows they can't outmuscle the Florida and Ottawa stars. Instead, they want to take away their oxygen.
So does defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who knows they must try their best to be physical against Matthew and Brady Tkachuk.
“It’s a show with them. We have to be physical because it’s gonna be a tough game. They like to talk and create chaos. We have to keep calm and ignore them and we’ll have a good game. Matthew Tkachuk likes to talk — he’s a guy you want on your team. But if he can’t catch anyone, it’s hard for him to perform well, so we have to keep our cool,”
- Rasmus Dahlin
- Rasmus Dahlin
Sweden plans to use their elite skating to keep the puck 200 feet away from their own net. If the Tkachuks don't have the puck, they can't cause chaos.
It sounds simple. But executing it against two of the most 'disliked players' on the planet, according to the Wallstreet Journal, is a nightmare.
Speed is the only weapon against the Tkachuk swarm
The Swedes will lean on their mobile defense to transition the puck instantly. No hanging onto it. No waiting for a hit.
One heavy hit from Brady can change the momentum of an entire period. Sweden needs to avoid the trap of getting into a physical war.
They'll look to isolate the brothers. If they can keep the game played at a high tempo, the Tkachuks might find themselves chasing shadows.
Victor Hedman and the defensive core have to be perfect. One turnover in the dirty areas and it's over.
The Americans thrive on emotion. Sweden wants to turn this game into a cold, tactical chess match.
Expect the Swedes to stack the neutral zone. They'll try to force the Tkachuks to dump the puck and then use their speed to win the race back.
Will the Tkachuk brothers let themselves be neutralized? Not likely.
The winner moves on to the medals. The loser flies home with a face full of regrets.
Sweden has the blueprint, but the Tkachuks usually rip those blueprints to shreds by the first intermission.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 18|50 ANSWERS Team Sweden unveils plan to shut down Team USA's Tkachuk brothers in quarterfinal game on Wednesday Can Sweden actually stop both Tkachuk brothers in a single game? | ||
| Yes | 28 | 56 % |
| No | 22 | 44 % |
| List of polls | ||