The U.S. and Finland have been regular foes in the world championship with today’s game marking the 63rd meeting in this tournament all-time. Finland has an overall 30-1-2-22-8 advantage (w-otw-otl-l-t) in the series and has won the last three games between the two countries. Finland stopped Team USA’s hopes of an unbeaten record in the preliminary round of last season’s world championship with a 6-2 win over the U.S. in the final preliminary round game for both teams.
Team USA will look to build off yesterday’s win over France where 12 different players recorded points, including six players with two-point efforts — Alex DeBrincat (2-0—2), Colin White (2-0—2), Patrick Kane (1-1—2), Frank Vatrano (1-1—2), Dylan Larkin (0-2—2) and Alec Martinez (0-2—2). Thatcher Demko made 23 saves on 24 shots in the U.S. net.
Today’s game will conclude the first of two “back-to-backs” for the U.S. in the world championship, with the other coming with games on consecutive days vs. Denmark and Germany on May 18 and May 19.
The contest will also feature the two players who most pundits believe will be the first and second taken in June’s NHL Draft in Team USA’s Jack Hughes and Finland’s Kaapo Kakko.
Team USA’s lineup will remain the same as yesterday. Coach Jeff Blashill had not named the starting goaltender at press time.
