Team USA Unveils A Nuclear Lineup That Spells Disaster For Latvia

Connor Hellebuyck gets the net. This was never really in doubt. He is the best goalie on the planet right now, and he gives the US a backbone that very few nations can match. He locks it down.

But the real terror is what Mike Sullivan is rolling out up front. He’s finally doing it. He is putting the Tkachuk brothers together.

Brady and Matthew Tkachuk are flanking Jack Eichel on the top line. That isn't a hockey line. That is a demolition crew with elite hands. You have the two most miserable players to play against in the entire league skating on the same shift.

It’s physically violent, it’s skilled, and it’s going to be an absolute nightmare for the Latvian defense to handle.

Then you have the luxury of tossing Auston Matthews out there on the second wave. He’s centering Jake Guentzel and Matt Boldy. That is pure finishing power. Most countries would dream of having that as their top unit, but for the Americans, it’s just the backup plan.

The depth gets even more ridiculous. Dylan Larkin and Tage Thompson are checking in on the third line. Thompson’s reach and Larkin’s speed are going to feast on Latvia’s bottom pairings.

The defense is somehow just as scary as the offense. Quinn Hughes is pairing up with Charlie McAvoy.

Think about that for a second. You have the most dynamic puck-mover in the game skating next to a guy who can crush you into dust and transition the puck perfectly. It’s the perfect balance of finesse and force.

Jaccob Slavin and Brock Faber are the second pair. That is arguably the most responsible defensive duo you could build in the modern game, yet they can still skate with anyone.

Elvis Merzlikins is getting the start for Latvia. He is a passionate goalie who can get hot, and he plays with a massive chip on his shoulder.

He better be ready. He is about to see more rubber than a drag strip. The Americans are coming in heavy, fast, and they clearly want to send a message to the rest of the tournament immediately.