It includes comprehensive coverage of the United States (3-0-0-0), which will play the fourth of four preliminary-round games in Group B against Sweden (2-0-0-0) on Sunday (10 p.m. ET). The U.S. won 5-1 against Germany on Tuesday, 7-1 against Switzerland on Thursday, and 7-0 against Austria on Saturday. The playoff round begins Wednesday.
Longtime NCAA hockey analyst Dave Starman, who will handle the broadcasts with E.J. Hradek and Jon Rosen, will give his three keys to victory for the United States before each of their games during the 11-day tournament.
"Following Saturday's win over Austria the U.S. should be in a pretty good place physically and emotionally to take on the Swedes in a game that can clinch first place for them in their pool," Starman said. "In pool play, Sweden has had the better of it against the U.S. but in a typical WJC, once the calendar flips to the new year, the United States has been the better team in the medal round versus Sweden.
"Sweden is loaded with high-end talent, might lack a little bite, but have perhaps the best NHL goaltending prospect in the tourney in Jesper Wallstedt (Minnesota Wild), so how does the United States get to 4-0 against a team of future NHL stars?"
Here are Starman's 3 keys to victory for the United States against Sweden:
1. Some cool production
"Logan Cooley (Arizona Coyotes) and Matthew Knies (Toronto Maple Leafs) have three assists between them in three games. They've played the right way, haven't seen it result in big points and, let's be honest, that line along with Matt Coronato (Calgary Flames) has to score. Coronato, the Long Island native (Greenlawn), has two goals and two assists in three games, but the U.S. needs that line to score. Do the Swedes look at the Landon Slaggert (Chicago Blackhawks), Thomas Bordeleau (San Jose Sharks), Carter Mazur (Detroit Red Wings) line as the big line to match against giving Cooley's line a more favorable matchup? Then again, against Sweden's back end, that second pairing isn't easy to play against. Extra shot of espresso please for Cooley's trio and, hopefully for the U.S., that line is an offensive factor in this game. Hard area play is a must for this group."
2. Defending critical
"One thing that pops at you watching games back is how hard the United States tracks back. They're an excellent back-checking team that sorts out quick, finishes on their checks, and defends hard. Sweden brings offensive capability, and they cycle as well as anyone here. Active defensemen will need to be accounted for on dive downs and Sweden can get traffic established net-front. The U.S. has been really good off the puck, which is a credit to their coaching staff. Well-coached teams defend well, and the defensive zone will be tested against Sweden."
3. Dictating play early on
"Sweden can control pace with their skill. The U.S. looks comfortable trading chances and getting north, fast, I'm not sold the Swedes want to do that, but their skill guys will also welcome a track meet. Pace is controlled by possession and lengthening the rink. Puck management by the U.S. will help set the pace they want to play at and with how well their defense get involved. I'd watch to see if they get from zero to 60 like a Ferrari early."
