BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – The U.S. Men’s National Team will face Russia here today at 4:15 p.m. (10:15 a.m. ET) in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 IIHF Men’s World Championship. The game can be seen live on NHL Network in the U.S.
The Russians dominated Group B, winning all seven of their games and outscoring opponents by a cumulative mark of 36-7. Team USA had five straight wins sandwiched between losses to Slovakia and Canada and finished fourth in Group A.
The winner moves on to Saturday’s semifinals and will play for a medal on Sunday, while the loser heads home.
The U.S. is in the quarterfinal round of the world championship for the ninth straight year and looks to advance to the semifinal for the third time in four years.
Team USA will be without two key forwards in alternate captain Dylan Larkin and Derek Ryan, who were both injured in Tuesday’s (May 21) final preliminary round game vs. Canada. Larkin had three goals and two assists to his credit, including two game-winning goals, while Ryan contributed a goal and three assists.
Captain Patrick Kane is Team USA’s leading point getter with 2-8—10, while Alex DeBrincat (6-2—8) and Jack Eichel (2-6—8) are not far behind. Jack Hughes and Christian Wolanin are back in the lineup today after not playing against Canada.
The U.S. and Russia have met 17 previous time in world championship history. The Russians have a slight advantage with eight wins to seven by the U.S. and one tie. The teams have met twice in the quarterfinals of the world championship with Team USA winning both of those contests, including an 8-3 victory in 2013.
