Going into Monday night time’s matchup in opposition to Sweden to wrap up round-robin play on the 4 Nations Face-Off, Staff USA had a chance for a clear sweep of wins however fell quick with a 2-1 loss.
Having already locked up its spot in Thursday’s remaining (and studying earlier Monday it could be squaring off in opposition to Canada once more), Staff USA opted to relaxation a couple of stars and ice simply 17 skaters in this one. With Matthew Tkachuk, Auston Matthews, and Charlie McAvoy all sitting, and Connor Hellebuyck getting an evening off to relaxation up, this recreation put head coach Mike Sullivan’s lineup in a blender.
The shortage of continuity confirmed. Though the Individuals sprinted out of the gates to open the scoring 35 seconds in, they spent the following 59:25 attempting unsuccessfully to get a second.
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Finally, the most important storyline was centred across the gamers not in the lineup — and, sadly for the Individuals, that included Brady Tkachuk for the final two intervals. The U.S. standout collided with the objective publish early in the primary body and after a quick comeback try was stored out of the sport.
Sullivan didn’t shed a lot mild on his gamers’ standing post-game. All eyes will probably be on Staff USA’s damage report as we glance forward to Thursday.
However earlier than we dive into what’s to come, right here’s a take a look at how every U.S. participant fared on Monday night time.
Chris Kreider 9/10
After watching his staff’s first two video games, Kreider was inserted into the lineup with forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Matthews sitting out. He wanted simply 35 seconds to announce his arrival on the 4 Nations stage. Kreider opened the scoring in opposition to the Swedes with a textbook tap-in after Zach Werenski drove the puck to the online and dished it to the ahead to do the remainder. Will we see him go well with up once more in Thursday’s remaining in opposition to Canada? With well being issues piling up on the American roster, that’ll be a storyline to watch these subsequent few days.
Brady Tkachuk: Incomplete
There was a noticeable lack of Tkachuk Brother power in this one, with Brady becoming a member of Matthew on the sideline after a worrisome collision with the objective publish in the primary interval. (He tried to return after a visit to the locker room, however performed only a single 14-second shift and didn’t come again out for the second.) There’s no overstating the influence Brady Tkachuk has on this squad — we’ve seen all of it match, and though his time on ice in opposition to Sweden spanned simply 1:55, he nonetheless managed three photographs and a trio of hits earlier than his departure.
Jack Eichel: 8/10
Even with out his Tkachuk linemates, Eichel nonetheless made an influence — simply ask Sweden’s Leo Carlsson, who was despatched flying upon trying to enter USA’s offensive zone when Eichel made contact. This wasn’t the centreman’s strongest recreation, however his skillset was nonetheless on full show: He set into movement the Individuals’ first objective, had a nifty between-the legs go, and customarily made issues occur in the offensive zone — though the outcomes merely weren’t there in this one.
Jake Guentzel: 7/10
The hero of Saturday’s showdown in opposition to Canada posted zeroes throughout the board Monday night time earlier than lastly registering a single shot on web with about three minutes to go. In fact, he wasn’t alone in his lack of manufacturing in this 2-1 U.S. loss, nevertheless it’s nonetheless stunning contemplating his run of success in this match in addition to his taking part in time Monday night time — he led all forwards in ice time and performed the second-most on the staff behind solely Werenski.
J.T. Miller: 7.5/10
Miller continues to be considered one of Sullivan’s most versatile gamers — an enormous asset on an evening that noticed the top coach piece collectively a lineup marred by damage issues. Miller completed the sport main the staff the staff in faceoff win proportion (76.9) and hits (5).
Jack Hughes: 7/10
He’s been slightly snake-bitten this match, scoreless via three video games and with only one help to his title, nevertheless it’s not for lack of attempting. He’s tied for third-most photographs throughout all 4 nations, with 10, 5 of which got here Monday — tops amongst U.S. forwards. He additionally had a stable defensive effort, with two blocked photographs.
Brock Nelson: 6/10
One other recreation, one other in-all-alone scoring probability for Nelson, who noticed an increase in taking part in time with Staff USA’s short-handed lineup however couldn’t money in. He’s been good at taking part in disruptor, although, even getting in Swedish goaltender Samuel Ersson’s face and (in some way) dodging a penalty for it.
Dylan Larkin 7/10
Larkin’s had an eventful match, and on Monday night time introduced a jolt of power early to a lineup that wanted it. He generated a handful of scoring probabilities in the primary body, and whereas he was held off the scoresheet, Sullivan must be blissful together with his efforts.
Matt Boldy: 6.5/10
Considered one of a number of Staff USA gamers with sturdy ties to the Boston space, Boldy — a Massachusetts child who starred at Boston School — didn’t stand out Monday night time, however must be thought of an X-factor in opposition to Canada contemplating how versatile a recreation he’s performed this match and his skill to spark offence in a rush. He took an apparent interference penalty, which he’d be sensible not to commit in opposition to Canada’s deadly energy play.
Vincent Trocheck: 6/10
A misplay in the impartial zone, which noticed William Nylander intercept a go from Trocheck, led to the eventual game-winner for Sweden. All of us realized quickly after Trocheck had injured his hand on the play — although, he would return to the Individuals’ already banged-up lineup. Whereas he performed simply 10:48, he made his presence identified on the physicality entrance, throwing a trio of hits.
Kyle Connor: 6/10
You possibly can see the moments of brilliance — like his second-period solo effort that was this shut to being a highlight-reel game-tying objective — however Connor’s quiet match continues, with out outcomes.
Zach Werenski: 10/10
Few Individuals shone in this shedding effort, however Werenski is the exception — he’s been distinctive all match, in reality, and as soon as once more stood out Monday night time. He arrange Kreider’s game-opening rating with an ideal offensive surge, his fifth help of the 4 Nations Face-Off, capturing the match lead in factors (tied with Sidney Crosby), and led the U.S. in ice time and photographs on objective Monday night time.
Jake Sanderson: 8/10
If this recreation was to function an unofficial tryout for the Individuals’ Olympic squad a yr from now, Sanderson actually gave U.S. brass loads to take into consideration. Taking part in alongside Werenski for a lot of this recreation, Sanderson stored tempo and didn’t look misplaced in any respect. The 22-year-old even confirmed off his shot, zinging a wrister previous Ersson that pinged off the crossbar.
Jaccob Slavin: 7/10
After Saturday night time’s marathon recreation, Slavin didn’t see as a lot ice time Monday in opposition to Sweden and was on the ice for each of Sweden’s targets.
Noah Hanifin: 6.5/10
A down night time after a very nice efficiency on Saturday — then once more, you can say the identical about most gamers in stars and stripes in this one — Hanifin logged the fewest minutes of any defender. That’s probably Sullivan saving him up for Thursday.
Adam Fox: 6/10
Fox took an undisciplined cross-checking penalty early in the third of what was an in any other case uneventful night time for the defender.
Brock Faber: 5.5/10
Faber was on the ice for each of Sweden’s targets, the play that led to the primary stemming from the defender being taken down behind the online and giving up the puck. He led the staff in giveaways, his efficiency a steep drop from Saturday’s nice recreation.
Jake Oettinger: 8/10
Give his helmet designer a ten/10 for the otter dressed because the Statue of Liberty, however Otter the goalie ought to get some stable reward for his efficiency, too, as he suited up in opposition to Sweden to give starter Connor Hellebuyck some relaxation earlier than Thursday. He held Sweden to its lowest objective whole this match, and did so taking part in behind a lineup that appeared slightly out of kinds with some key gamers lacking.
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