"Switzerland is coming off a 3-2 loss to medal-favorite Sweden (on Wednesday)," Starman said. "The Swiss are pesky, they reload well above the puck, they don't play high risk and can get a game into their tempo by keeping pucks in safe areas. They don't match up with the U.S., depth-wise, but they were impressive with their patience."
Here are Starman's 3 keys to victory for the United States against Switzerland:
1. Defensive dominance
"I felt the defense corps was good in Game 1, then watched back and was even more impressed with
Brock Faber
(Minnesota Wild) the second time I watched it. He was plus-9 in the giveaway/takeaway department, was plus-3 for the game, and I felt he was steady and smooth.
Luke Hughes
(New Jersey Devils) was terrific in all three zones, and his puck skills opened up ice all over for whomever he was on with. This group, in my opinion, drives the bus so keep an eye on how they factor into this game. Especially against an aggressive Switzerland forecheck."
2. Goalkeeper questions
"There was a discussion on who plays goal in Game 2. If Kaidan Mbereko (2023 draft eligible) pitched a shutout against Germany, you could easily go back to him. After the game against Switzerland, the U.S. plays back-to-back against Austria and Sweden. These next two games probably decide which goalie] goes against Sweden. In Game 1, Mbereko was good. He didn't have to be great. I'm not sure he got the chance to show us a ton about who he is at this level. Goaltending is the question mark. Not necessarily is it championship-worthy, but whose net is it, and will Game 2 give us any indication?"
**3. 'Center' of attention**
"The United States is really good down the middle. ...
[Thomas Bordeleau
(San Jose Sharks) and
Logan Cooley
(Arizona Coyotes) are your obvious choices at 1-2. Then you have
Redmond Savage
(Detroit Red Wings),
Dominic James
(Chicago Blackhawks), and Hunter McKown. Those three all play in the NCHC, which is big-boy hockey and has produced five of the last six national champions in college hockey. It is an older and heavier conference that produces a lot of NHL players and every game demands some skin. These three are used to that and give the U.S. solid depth at a vital position, and each can play up in the lineup if needed. McKown was the 13th forward against Germany, yet he was on the second power-play unit. I think these three will get more important once the pedigree teams are lined up against the U.S. in the bigger games. The three under-20's are constantly facing off and going up against 23-, 24-, 25-years-olds and they handle it well."
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