The men's hockey tournament at PyeongChang 2018 has reached the quarter-final stage, and with that in mind, we rank the top eight remaining players to keep an eye on as the games become much more meaningful.
8. Viktor Fasth - Sweden
The top-seeded Swedes have had the luxury of impeccable goaltending thus far, as former Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers goaltender Viktor Fasth has surrendered just one goal in two starts, equaling a .972 save percentage.
7. Linus Omark - Sweden
A once-promising NHL prospect who entered the league to a ton of fanfare due to his flashy shooutout moves, Omark is having himself a strong tournament for the Tre Kronor. Omark leads the Swedes in points with five assists in three games.
6. Derek Roy - Canada
The catalyst for most of Canada's offense, Roy's notched five assists in three contests as the team's top center. He also leads all Canadian forwards in ice time, logging 19:29 per game.
5. Kirill Kaprizov - OAR
Playing on a team stacked with talent up front, Kaprizov has already had a strong offensive showing at PyeongChang 2018. He sits tied for the tournament lead in goals with Ryan Donato and teammate Ilya Kovalchuk at four. Don't be shocked if the Minnesota Wild's fifth-round pick is playing in North America, sooner rather than later.
4. Ryan Donato - USA
The NCAA's most dangerous goal-scorer has continued his run of dominance in South Korea, netting four goals and one assist for the United States so far. His tallies are tied for the tournament lead, and his opening goal versus Slovakia in a must-win game injected life into a team struggling to find any answers.
3. Sami Lepisto - Finland
A staple on blue lines throughout the KHL since leaving the Chicago Blackhawks in 2012, Lepisto has been rock-solid for the Finns this tournament. Logging 21:49 in ice time per game, no one has been on the ice more for Finland at PyeongChang 2018. The former Washington Capitals third-round selection has also chipped in offensively, notching two goals and three assists.
2. Ilya Kovalchuk - OAR
If Kovalchuk is using this tournament as a showcase for a potential return to the NHL, he's started with a bang. The Russian sniper put forth a dominant two-goal performance in a win over Team USA, and ranks third in the tournament with five points in three games.
1. Eeli Tolvanen - Finland
Tolvanen has been nothing short of sensation so far for the Finns, pacing the tournament with nine points (three goals and six assists) in four games. Speed, a strong shot, and slick hands, Tolvanen already can do it all at only 18 years old. The Nashville Predators' 2017 first-round selection is making a strong case to be playing NHL hockey in the near future.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
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