• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
International Hockey
World Junior Hockey Championship

2021 WJC: 3 Takeaways from USA’s 4-0 Win Over Sweden

By Jonathan Amatulli January 1st, 2021

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

The United States posted its third straight shutout win on New Year’s Eve, clinching the top spot in Group B heading into the quarterfinals. The Americans rode a hot start and never let the Swedes get going, outshooting the opposition 37-27. They had more contributions from their defensemen in this one, as two of their four goals were scored by blueliners.

Sweden was unable to get on the scoresheet after a very exciting contest with Russia the night prior, losing in overtime and breaking its consecutive win streak in preliminaries at 54 games. After dropping two straight, Sweden enters the quarterfinals in the third spot in Group B and will take on Finland on Saturday. The United States enters the quarterfinals as the second seed, taking on Slovakia.

Strong Start

The United States jumped out to a 2-0 lead early and never looked back after just four minutes and five shots on goal. Throwing pucks on net paid off for the Americans, as the two goals weren’t necessarily the best opportunities, but ended up squeaking past the goalie. Defenseman Drew Helleson opened the scoring with a shot from behind the goal line that deflected in, and Trevor Zegras followed suit with another bad-angle shot that managed to find its way in.

Drew Helleson puts USA on the board early on! pic.twitter.com/bUda8RF4ZX

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 1, 2021

Although the shot metrics were close, the United States had a stranglehold on this game from the beginning and looked very comfortable throughout. As the team begins to play more meaningful games, the message to put pucks on net has to remain the same after the results of this game. Getting off to strong starts against some of the top teams in the tournament could be the difference between getting a medal and taking a quick exit for the Americans.

Top Swedes Shut Down

A strength of Team Sweden is its top-six forward group, and the United States did a great job of shutting that group down in this contest. With two top-10 picks in this year’s draft on its top line alone, Sweden boasts plenty of firepower, but the chances weren’t flowing against a strong United States defense.

Alexander Holtz and Lucas Raymond, two of the top prospects in the tournament, have been mostly held in check so far, especially in this one. Both players have managed just one goal and three points apiece despite many more chances.

Lucas Raymond Frolunda Indians
Lucas Raymond of the Frolunda Indians (Photo: Tommy Holl TT)

Forwards Noel Gunler and Simon Holmstrom are tied with defenseman Victor Soderstrom for the team lead with five points through the team’s four preliminary games. Expectations were high for the Swedish goal scorers, particularly Holtz and Raymond, but there is still plenty of hockey to be played for them to turn it around.

After a disappointing performance from its goal scorers, the matchup against Finland will be one to watch in the quarterfinals, as both teams have the potential to surprise despite their low seeding.

Turcotte Lights the Lamp

Forward Alex Turcotte finally got himself a goal, capitalizing on the strong play of his line throughout the preliminary round. He now has five points through the four-game preliminary round after managing only two assists at last year’s tournament. It has been a breakout tournament for the entire United States’ top-six, most notably Anaheim Ducks prospect Trevor Zegras, who leads the tournament in assists and points, and is tied for the lead in goals.

Alex Turcotte of the U.S. National Development Program
Alex Turcotte of the U.S. National Development Program (Rena Laverty/USHL)

Centering Zegras’ line has provided Turcotte with plenty of opportunities, and he finally cashed in. Turcotte had a strong freshman season at the University of Wisconsin, scoring nine goals and recording 26 points in 29 games in his first college season. The Los Angeles Kings prospect will be looking to stay hot at this tournament and put together another strong collegiate season to join a rebuilding roster sooner than later.

Quarterfinals Outlook

After outscoring its opponents 22-0 in its last three contests, the sky is the limit for this team. Both goaltenders have been very strong for the Americans, particularly Spencer Knight after an unfortunate start to the tournament against Russia. Knight is the first United States goalie to post back-to-back shutouts at the World Juniors and appears to have regained a strong hold on the starting job.

With offensive contributions coming from the entire lineup and the continued strong play of its top players, offense doesn’t appear to be a concern, either. Further tests are upcoming if they can fend off Slovakia, so this could still just be the beginning of a strong run for this team.

All the 2021 World Junior Championship Team Information:

Austria — Team Preview — Roster

Canada — Team Preview — Roster

Czech Republic — Team Preview — Roster

Finland — Team Preview — Roster

Germany — Team Preview — Roster

Russia — Team Preview — Roster

Slovakia — Team Preview — Roster

Sweden — Team Preview — Roster

Switzerland — Team Preview — Roster

USA — Team Preview — Roster

Selection Camp Invites by NHL Team

Roster Breakdowns by NHL Team

Draft Eligible Players to Watch

One Player to Watch for Each World Junior Team

7 Predictions for the 2021 World Junior Championship

All Your THW 2021 World Junior Championship Coverage


Sign up for our regular 'Prospects Newsletter' for all the latest.

  • Tags
  • Alex Turcotte
  • Alexander Holtz
  • Lucas Raymond
  • Spencer Knight
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 27th 2:51 PM
Archives

Shattenkirk Trade Was Key to Blues’ Success

Jan 27th 2:15 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Oilers’ Goalie Situation Remains Precarious 2 Weeks Into Season

Jan 27th 2:05 PM
Column

Red Wings Wednesday Weekly: Snap Back to Reality

Jan 27th 1:50 PM
Women's Hockey

Leveille Out-Duels Shelly in Epic Showdown, Six Win 1st Game on Day 3 of NWHL Season

Jan 27th 1:25 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

NHL Rumors: Blues, Canadiens, Canucks, Laine News, More

Jan 27th 12:15 PM
Archives

The Best of ‘Mr. Goalie’ Glenn Hall

Jan 27th 12:05 PM
Column

Prospects News & Rumors: Savoie, Dorofeyev & Duke

Jan 27th 11:15 AM
Archives

Best NHL Players Not in the Hockey Hall of Fame

Jan 27th 11:05 AM
Calgary Flames

Flames’ Newcomers Have Been Hit and Miss

Jan 27th 10:25 AM
Ottawa Senators

Senators’ 2020-21 Early Recap and Predictions

Editor’s Picks
Wayne Gretzky - The Great One's 10 Most Unbreakable Records

Wayne Gretzky - The Great One's 10 Most Unbreakable Records

Test Your Wayne Gretzky Knowledge With Our Quiz

Test Your Wayne Gretzky Knowledge With Our Quiz

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information