Olympic Showdown: Kings’ Kempe and Armia Set to Clash as Sweden Faces Finland in Group B Battle
The 2026 Winter Olympics are heating up, and Friday morning’s early matchup (3:10 a.m. PT) offers a must-watch showdown for Los Angeles Kings fans. Two familiar faces - Adrian Kempe (Sweden) and Joel Armia (Finland) - will find themselves on opposite sides of the ice as their respective countries square off in a pivotal Group B clash.
This marks the first time in these Games that two current Kings players will go head-to-head, and the stakes are high. Sweden enters the contest riding high after a commanding 5-2 win earlier this week, while Finland is looking to rebound from a surprising 4-1 loss to Slovakia.
The game will be broadcast live from Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, and fans in the U.S. can catch it on USA Network and Peacock. Canadian viewers can tune in via TSN and CBC Gem.
Kempe’s Sweden: Depth, Speed, and Firepower
Sweden looked every bit the contender in their opening win, and Adrian Kempe was part of a forward group that brought relentless pace and offensive pressure. Lined up on the third line alongside Joel Eriksson Ek and Rickard Rakell, Kempe gives Sweden a dangerous scoring threat beyond their top six - a luxury not every team in this tournament has.
The Swedes' top lines are stacked with NHL talent. Mika Zibanejad centers Jesper Bratt and William Nylander on the top unit, while Filip Forsberg, Elias Pettersson, and Lucas Raymond round out a lethal second line. That kind of depth allows Sweden to attack in waves.
On the blue line, Sweden boasts a blend of elite puck movers and physical defenders. Victor Hedman and Rasmus Dahlin headline the top pair, while Erik Karlsson and Gustav Forsling bring offensive upside. Between the pipes, veteran Jacob Markstrom is expected to get the nod again after a solid opening performance.
Armia’s Finland: Searching for a Response
Joel Armia and Team Finland will be looking for a bounce-back performance after dropping their opener to Slovakia. The 4-1 loss was a wake-up call for a team many expected to be a podium contender. Now, facing a red-hot Swedish squad, Finland needs to find its rhythm - and fast.
Armia slots in on Finland’s fourth line alongside Eeli Tolvanen and Erik Haula, giving the Finns a veteran presence with size and defensive reliability. But the real firepower lies in the top six. Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz, and Mikael Granlund form a formidable first line, while Sebastian Aho, Artturi Lehkonen, and Teuvo Teravainen anchor the second.
Defensively, Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell lead the way, offering a strong two-way presence. Juuse Saros is projected to start in net, and he’ll need to be sharp to keep Sweden’s offense in check.
Projected Lineups
🇫🇮 Finland
Forwards:
- Rantanen - Hintz - Granlund
- Lehkonen - Aho - Teravainen
- Luostarinen - Lundell - Kakko
- Tolvanen - Haula - Armia
Defensemen:
- Lindell - Heiskanen
- Mikkola - Ristolainen
- Maatta - Jokiharju
Goalie:
- Juuse Saros (starter)
- Kevin Lankinen
🇸🇪 Sweden
Forwards:
- Bratt - Zibanejad - Nylander
- Forsberg - Pettersson - Raymond
- Kempe - Eriksson Ek - Rakell
- Landeskog - Lindholm - Wennberg
Defensemen:
- Hedman - Dahlin
- Forsling - Karlsson
- Ekman-Larsson - Andersson
Goalie:
- Jacob Markstrom (starter)
- Filip Gustavsson
Kings on Olympic Ice
Friday’s Finland vs. Sweden matchup features two of the four Los Angeles Kings players competing in Milan.
Adrian Kempe represents Sweden, while Joel Armia suits up for Finland. Elsewhere in the tournament, Drew Doughty and Darcy Kuemper are skating for Team Canada.
Why This Game Matters
This isn’t just a rivalry game between two hockey powerhouses - it’s a crucial moment in Group B. With only a few games to make a statement in round-robin play, every point matters. Sweden can solidify its position atop the group with another win, while Finland needs a response to stay in the mix for medal contention.
Expect a high-tempo, physical battle between two teams that know each other well and don’t shy away from Olympic pressure. And for Kings fans, it’s a rare treat to see Kempe and Armia face off on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
Set those alarms - this one’s worth waking up for.