The Czech Republic loaded up its top line midway through a 2-1 loss to Russia on Friday, reuniting the line of Filip Zadina (Detroit Red Wings), Martin Necas (Carolina Hurricanes) and Martin Kaut (Colorado Avalanche) that was dominant at the 2018 WJC in Buffalo.
Zadina, picked No. 6 in the 2018 Draft by Detroit, scored seven goals and had one assist in seven games at last year's WJC. Necas, who was selected No. 12 in the 2017 NHL Draft by Carolina, had 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in seven games. And Kaut, picked No. 16 by Colorado in 2018, had seven points (two goals, five assists) in seven games.
Despite that success, the three weren't together in a 2-1 overtime win against Switzerland on Wednesday. Kaut and Necas played together in the opener, but Zadina didn't join them until the second period against Russia.
"Obviously, it was pretty good to be together, we had a couple chances and we were flying in the o-zone," said Zadina, who has 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 27 games with Grand Rapids in the American Hockey League this season. "We have pretty good chemistry between us and it's always easier to play with them, but if I will play with other players it's up to me to help them."
Zadina wasn't sure if they'd be back together against Canada on Saturday.
"I would love to play with them again, but we'll see what the coach says," Zadina said.
Kaut has two points (one goal, one assist) in the first two games of this year's WJC. Necas has one assist and Zadina is without a point.