The stakes have been raised for Team USA. A 6-3 win over Denmark felt like a consolation prize at best. The United States’ roster is deep and boasts some of the best of the best of the NHL. There is no excuse: the team must step up to clinch a victory in its upcoming game against Team Germany at the Santagiulia IHO Arena.
USA Enjoys Historical Advantage over Germany at the Olympics
Team USA has had an unblemished campaign in Italy so far. As lukewarm as the win against Denmark was, it has helped Auston Matthews and company move forward in their pursuit of greatness. Meanwhile, Team Germany, under Leon Draisaitl’s leadership, had a successful conquest over Denmark in its maiden game at Milan-Cortina, winning 3-1, but fumbled against Latvia, falling 4-3.
Not only is Germany heading into the game 1-1 against the USA’s 2-0, but historically, the USA has overpowered Germany in all but one of the 10 times the two have met at the Olympic stage. The teams met last time at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where the United States emerged victorious 3-2.
MORE: Brady Tkachuk Gets Brutally Honest on Team USA’s Form After 6-3 Win Over Denmark
Brady Tkachuk has claimed that his teammates know exactly when to tap into their most formidable form. Will Tkachuk and the rest rise to the occasion against Germany and keep the country’s victorious record intact?
After the latest defeat, Germany is expected to redeem itself in the showdown against the United States. Tim Stutzle has been the standout scorer for Team Germany, scoring three goals across two games. Besides Stutzle, Draisaitl, and JJ Peterka are among the players to watch out for. On the USA side, Brock Nelson and Brady Tkachuk have each scored two goals in two Olympic games so far. Players like Matthews, Jack Eichel, and Matthew Tkachuk, among forwards, can emerge as real threats to Team Germany during the battle.
USA Vs. Germany Projected Lineups
Team Germany
Forwards
- Josh Samanski-Leon Draisaitl-Frederik Tiffels
- JJ Peterka-Tim Stutzle-Wojciech Stachowiak
- Lukas Reichel-Marc Michaelis-Dominik Kahun
- Tobias Rieder-Nico Sturm-Alexander Ehl
Defense
- Fabio Wagner-Moritz Seider
- Jonas Muller-Kai Wissmann
- Lukas Kalble-Leon Gawanke
- Moritz Muller
Goaltending
- Philipp Grubauer
- Mathias Niederberger
Team USA
Forwards
- Brady Tkachuk-Jack Eichel-Matthew Tkachuk
- Jake Guentzel-Auston Matthews-Matt Boldy
- Kyle Connor-Dylan Larkin-Tage Thompson
- J.T. Miller-Brock Nelson-Jack Hughes
Defense
- Quinn Hughes-Charlie McAvoy
- Jaccob Slavin-Brock Faber
- Zach Werenski-Jake Sanderson
- Noah Hanifin-Vincent Trochek
Goaltending
- Connor Hellebuyck
- Jake Oettinger
Where to Watch USA Vs. Germany at Milan-Cortina
The puck drops on February 15 at 3:10 p.m. ET. The game will air on USA Network and be available to stream on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.
We are nearing the decisive moment of the Milan-Cortina edition of the Winter Olympics. Will Team USA fulfill Tkachuk’s prophecy and put up its best show against Germany? Or will Draisaitl and company foil every attempt of their formidable foe to snatch the win? Fans are pining for a resolution.
