The US defeated Finland 6-1 in their first game of the 4 Nations Face-off. Looking at the final score does not tell the full story, as the US trailed 1-0 in the first and the game was tied at one late in the second. A Matt Boldy goal gave the US the lead and a pair of tallies 11 seconds apart 26 seconds into the third sealed the victory. Brady and Matthew Tkachuk each notched a pair to lead the victors. US-Canada in Montreal on Saturday at 8PM. Game recap: Lines, at least initially:Team USA
Guentzel-Matthews-Hughes
Connor-Eichel-M. Tkachuk
B. Tkachuk-Miller-Boldy
Nelson-Trocheck-Larkin
Saros
Lankinen A few thoughts:
1) The move of Brady Tkachuk up a line to skate with Jack Eichel and his brother Matthew changed the tide of the game, Team USA upped their physical quotient and carried play after that move. Give coach Mike Sullivan for being aggressive in making the change, which had a massive effect and created a monster trio.
2) Finland did a good job of limiting time and space through the neutral zone in the first. Team USA flipped the switch in the second, which changed the tone and tenor of the contest. They started coming with speed and more physicality which put Finland on their heels.
3) An unsung play was Auston Matthews drawing a penalty with four seconds left in the second. A faceoff win created the chance and Matthews playing to the whistle caused an Olli Maatta hook. The power play carried over, resulting in Matthew Tkachuk's first of two PPG in the game. Finland was now reeling and Jake Guentzel poured gas on the fire 15 seconds later.
4) None of the Rangers had a material impact. Of the three that dressed, JT Miller was the most noticeable, as he was on the ice for the first USA goal. He and Vincent Trocheck were a solid PK duo. Adam Fox was dropped from the second to third line and replaced by Zach Werenski on the PP, which helped lead to two goals on the man-advantage. Miller's physical style of play will be a key against Canada, plus we need to see Fox look more like the player we have been accustomed to or Canada will target him.
5) Pre-game and the National Anthem: great job by Sullivan by having Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau's brother announce the starting lineups. In no surprise, given the current landscape, the national anthem was booed, making the environment a little hostile. This was just the tip of the iceberg, as Saturday's crowd will mainly be us versus them. The US players who have been in the WJC are used to that and relish quieting the crowd if they lead and/or win. A victory in regulation Saturday will go a long way to clinching a spot in the gold medal game, since Team USA has three points for the regulation win yesterday.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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