Team USA Tops Denmark, But Questions Linger After Shaky Start
Team USA skated away with a 6-3 win over Denmark this afternoon, but the scoreboard doesn’t quite tell the whole story. With just one game left in the group stage, there’s reason for both optimism and concern. The offense eventually clicked, the talent showed up, and the Americans took care of business-but not before a sluggish start raised a few eyebrows.
Here are four key takeaways from the win over Denmark:
1. Slow Starts Are Becoming a Habit-and That’s a Problem
Let’s be honest-this game should’ve been over by the first intermission. On paper, Team USA had the firepower to put Denmark away early and cruise into their final group game with confidence. Instead, they found themselves trailing 2-1 after 20 minutes, thanks to a pair of fluky goals that highlighted a lack of focus.
The first came off an unfortunate bounce-Zach Werenski accidentally redirected the puck into his own net. The second?
A center-ice shot that somehow found its way past Jeremy Swayman, who clearly never picked it up. It was the kind of goal that makes you look around and ask, “Did that really just happen?”
That opening period wasn’t just a stumble-it was a reminder that lapses in execution, even against an underdog like Denmark, can be costly. Against a deeper, more dangerous opponent, those mistakes won’t go unpunished.
2. Faceoff Dominance Sparked the Turnaround
Credit where it’s due: Team USA responded in the second period like a team that knew it had underperformed. The spark came from two quick-strike goals off faceoffs-textbook execution that flipped the game’s momentum.
Brady Tkachuk got things rolling with a gritty goal in front, and Jack Eichel followed up with a snipe that reminded everyone why he’s one of the most dangerous forwards in this tournament. Just like that, the Americans were back in control.
It wasn’t flashy, but it was efficient-and it showed how quickly this team can shift gears when they lock in.
3. The Power Play Needs to Wake Up
If there’s one area where Team USA continues to leave goals on the table, it’s the power play. Denmark killed off every American man-advantage opportunity this afternoon, and it wasn’t because they were playing some kind of revolutionary penalty kill.
The puck movement was a step slow, the zone entries were inconsistent, and the net-front presence just wasn’t there. In a tournament where special teams can swing games-especially in the knockout rounds-this is something that needs to be addressed, fast.
The talent is there. The execution? Not yet.
4. The Goaltending Decision Raised Eyebrows
Jake Oettinger didn’t dress for this one, and while no official explanation has been given, his absence was felt early. Jeremy Swayman got the nod and had a rocky start, most notably giving up that long-range goal from the red line-a moment that will be replayed more than he’d like.
To be fair, Swayman settled in after that and made some solid saves down the stretch. But in a game where the margin should’ve been wider from the start, that early miscue loomed large. Whether it’s Oettinger or Connor Hellebuyck in net moving forward, the takeaway is clear: Team USA’s ceiling is higher when their goaltending is sharper out of the gate.
Looking Ahead
With Germany up next to close out group play, Team USA still controls its destiny. The roster has the depth, the skill, and the experience to make a serious run. But if they want to reach the podium-and possibly the top of it-they’ll need to clean up the details, especially early in games.
Because the next time they fall behind, they might not have the luxury of a second-period surge to bail them out.