USA Player Ratings: Werenski shines in loss to Sweden

Going into Monday night’s matchup against Sweden to wrap up round-robin play at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Team USA had an opportunity for a clean sweep of wins but fell short with a 2-1 loss.

Having already locked up its spot in Thursday’s final (and learning earlier Monday it would be squaring off against Canada again), Team USA opted to rest a few stars and ice just 17 skaters in this one. With Matthew Tkachuk, Auston Matthews, and Charlie McAvoy all sitting, and Connor Hellebuyck getting a night off to rest up, this game put head coach Mike Sullivan’s lineup in a blender.

The lack of continuity showed. Although the Americans sprinted out of the gates to open the scoring 35 seconds in, they spent the next 59:25 trying unsuccessfully to get a second.

Ultimately, the biggest storyline was centred around the players not in the lineup — and, unfortunately for the Americans, that included Brady Tkachuk for the last two periods. The U.S. standout collided with the goal post early in the first frame and after a brief comeback attempt was kept out of the game.

Sullivan didn’t shed much light on his players’ status post-game. All eyes will be on Team USA’s injury report as we look ahead to Thursday.

But before we dive into what’s to come, here’s a look at how each U.S. player fared on Monday night.

Chris Kreider 9/10
After watching his team’s first two games, Kreider was inserted into the lineup with forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Matthews sitting out. He needed just 35 seconds to announce his arrival on the 4 Nations stage. Kreider opened the scoring against the Swedes with a textbook tap-in after Zach Werenski drove the puck to the net and dished it to the forward to do the rest. Will we see him suit up again in Thursday’s final against Canada? With health concerns piling up on the American roster, that’ll be a storyline to watch these next few days.

Brady Tkachuk: Incomplete
There was a noticeable lack of Tkachuk Brother energy in this one, with Brady joining Matthew on the sideline after a worrisome collision with the goal post in the first period. (He attempted to return after a trip to the locker room, but played just a single 14-second shift and didn’t come back out for the second.) There’s no overstating the impact Brady Tkachuk has on this squad — we’ve seen it all tournament, and even though his time on ice against Sweden spanned just 1:55, he still managed three shots and a trio of hits before his departure. 

Jack Eichel: 8/10
Even without his Tkachuk linemates, Eichel still made an impact — just ask Sweden’s Leo Carlsson, who was sent flying upon attempting to enter USA’s offensive zone when Eichel made contact. This wasn’t the centreman’s strongest game, but his skillset was still on full display: He set into motion the Americans’ first goal, had a nifty between-the legs pass, and generally made things happen in the offensive zone — even though the results simply weren’t there in this one.

Jake Guentzel: 7/10
The hero of Saturday’s showdown against Canada posted zeroes across the board Monday night before finally registering a single shot on net with about three minutes to go. Of course, he wasn’t alone in his lack of production in this 2-1 U.S. loss, but it’s still surprising considering his run of success in this tournament as well as his playing time Monday night — he led all forwards in ice time and played the second-most on the team behind only Werenski.

J.T. Miller: 7.5/10
Miller continues to be one of Sullivan’s most versatile players — a huge asset on a night that saw the head coach piece together a lineup marred by injury concerns. Miller finished the game leading the team the team in faceoff win percentage (76.9) and hits (five).

Jack Hughes: 7/10
He’s been a little snake-bitten this tournament, scoreless through three games and with just one assist to his name, but it’s not for lack of trying. He’s tied for third-most shots across all four nations, with 10, five of which came Monday — tops among U.S. forwards. He also had a solid defensive effort, with two blocked shots.

Brock Nelson: 6/10
Another game, another in-all-alone scoring chance for Nelson, who saw a rise in playing time with Team USA’s short-handed lineup but couldn’t cash in. He’s been good at playing disruptor, though, even getting in Swedish goaltender Samuel Ersson’s face and (somehow) dodging a penalty for it.

Dylan Larkin 7/10
Larkin’s had an eventful tournament, and on Monday night brought a jolt of energy early to a lineup that needed it. He generated a handful of scoring chances in the first frame, and while he was held off the scoresheet, Sullivan should be happy with his efforts.

Matt Boldy: 6.5/10
One of several Team USA players with strong ties to the Boston area, Boldy — a Massachusetts kid who starred at Boston College — didn’t stand out Monday night, but should be considered an X-factor against Canada considering how versatile a game he’s played this tournament and his ability to spark offence in a hurry. He took an obvious interference penalty, which he’d be wise not to commit against Canada’s lethal power play.

Vincent Trocheck: 6/10
A misplay in the neutral zone, which saw William Nylander intercept a pass from Trocheck, led to the eventual game-winner for Sweden. We all learned soon after Trocheck had injured his hand on the play — though, he would return to the Americans’ already banged-up lineup. While he played just 10:48, he made his presence known on the physicality front, throwing a trio of hits.

Kyle Connor: 6/10
You can see the moments of brilliance — like his second-period solo effort that was this close to being a highlight-reel game-tying goal — but Connor’s quiet tournament continues, without results.

Zach Werenski: 10/10
Few Americans shone in this losing effort, but Werenski is the exception — he’s been exceptional all tournament, in fact, and once again stood out Monday night. He set up Kreider’s game-opening score with a perfect offensive surge, his fifth assist of the 4 Nations Face-Off, capturing the tournament lead in points (tied with Sidney Crosby), and led the U.S. in ice time and shots on goal Monday night.

Jake Sanderson: 8/10
If this game was to serve as an unofficial tryout for the Americans’ Olympic squad a year from now, Sanderson certainly gave U.S. brass plenty to think about. Playing alongside Werenski for much of this game, Sanderson kept pace and didn’t look out of place at all. The 22-year-old even showed off his shot, zinging a wrister past Ersson that pinged off the crossbar.

Jaccob Slavin: 7/10
After Saturday night’s marathon game, Slavin didn’t see as much ice time Monday against Sweden and was on the ice for both of Sweden’s goals.

Noah Hanifin: 6.5/10
A down night after a really great performance on Saturday — then again, you could say the same about most players in stars and stripes in this one — Hanifin logged the fewest minutes of any defender. That’s likely 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 otherwise uneventful night for the defender.

Brock Faber: 5.5/10
Faber was on the ice for both of Sweden’s goals, the play that led to the first stemming from the defender being taken down behind the net and giving up the puck. He led the team in giveaways, his performance a steep drop from Saturday’s great game.

Jake Oettinger: 8/10
Give his helmet designer a 10/10 for the otter dressed as the Statue of Liberty, but Otter the goalie should get some solid praise for his performance, too, as he suited up against Sweden to give starter Connor Hellebuyck some rest before Thursday. He held Sweden to its lowest goal total this tournament, and did so playing behind a lineup that looked a little out of sorts with some key players missing.