Amid injuries, U.S. expects to be 'good to go' vs. Canada - ESPN

BOSTON — Team USA downplayed concerns about a handful of key injuries ahead of their 4 Nations Face-Off championship game against Canada on Thursday.

The U.S. lost, 2-1, to Sweden on Monday night, playing with a diminished lineup in a game that had no bearing on the tournament. Canada's win over Finland in regulation earlier in the day clinched their spot in the final and a rematch against the Americans, who won a brutal battle in Montreal, 3-1, last Saturday. The 4 Nations final is scheduled for Thursday night at TD Garden.

Team USA forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews, as well as defenseman Charlie McAvoy, sat out the game against Sweden out of injury precaution. The U.S. inserted New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider and Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson into their lineup against Sweden, playing with 17 skaters (11 forwards, 6 defensemen) in the game. Kreider scored the lone goal for the U.S. in the loss.

The thin lineup got even thinner when forward Brady Tkachuk was injured in the first period and did not return to the game with a lower-body injury.

Tkachuk, who plays for the Ottawa Senators, lost an edge while driving to the Sweden net in the first period and slammed his side into the goal cage just 7:37 into the game. He went back to the U.S. bench in discomfort and eventually left for the trainers room.

He returned to the ice for a short 14-second shift later in the period but did not come back out with the team for the second period. USA Hockey announced that he would not return.

Sullivan said after the game that Brady Tkachuk was held out for «precautionary reasons» and had no immediate update on his injury. «We'll see how it responds,» Sullivan added, «but I don't anticipate it being an issue.»

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