U.S. men rally past Denmark 6-3, keep pace with Canada for top seed at Olympics
Jack Eichel and the Tkachuk brothers sparked a second-period turnaround as the U. S. overcame an early deficit to beat Denmark 6-3 Saturday night (ET), preserving a tie with Canada for the top spot in the preliminary round. The victory keeps the Americans on track as they head into the final day of round-robin play.
Top line answers when it mattered
Trailing after a bizarre long-range goal and an own-goal on the opener, the Americans leaned on their most dangerous trio. Jack Eichel set up Brady Tkachuk with a quick faceoff play, then a minute later scored off his own faceoff win to flip the momentum. The sequence underscored how the top line can seize a game by force and finish chances in traffic.
Brady Tkachuk’s energy was emblematic of the group’s response. The winger’s heavy forechecking and willingness to engage physical opponents kept Denmark unsettled and created space for teammates. "Just sticking with it, trusting each other, " Brady Tkachuk said, pointing to the belief in the locker room that the team could rally.
Defenseman Noah Hanifin added an important insurance tally when his shot squeaked past Mads Sogaard and trickled over the line, giving the U. S. a cushion late in the middle frame. Jake Guentzel’s one-timer and Jack Hughes’ finish after Brock Nelson’s feed rounded out the scoring, with Auston Matthews earning the primary assist on the Guentzel goal and Zach Werenski credited with a secondary assist after an earlier miscue.
Blunders, relief and locker-room composure
Goaltender Jeremy Swayman conceded an unusual marker early on when a long, 95-foot shot sneaked in just inside the center red line. The mistake could have rattled a lesser team, but Swayman and his teammates steadied themselves. "I'm really proud of this group for staying even-keeled, " Swayman said. "The confidence never left the group, and that's a serious trait at this stage in the tournament. The guys rallied, and we got it done. "
Denmark made life difficult at times. One Denmark goal was credited to Nick Olesen after Zach Werenski accidentally deflected the puck into his own net, and Phillip Bruggisser added a late score with just 2. 6 seconds remaining in the second period. Mads Sogaard, who faced the majority of shots, eventually exited with an injury and was replaced by Frederik Dichow, but the change did little to alter the outcome.
Despite the early hiccups, the Americans found answers in timely finishing and physical play. The blend of skill from Eichel, finishing touch from Guentzel and the kinetic presence of the Tkachuks helped erase Denmark’s underdog surge.
Standings and what's next
The win gives the U. S. six points in the preliminary standings, the same total as Canada, with both teams unbeaten heading into the final day of round-robin play. The Americans close out the preliminary slate against Germany, while Canada faces a winless France. If both teams win in regulation on the final day, the top seed for the single-elimination bracket will come down to goal differential.
For now, the mood is optimistic in the American camp: a signature response in a testy outing, and momentum restored before the knockout phase looms. The next game will determine seeding but the message from this performance was clear — when the top line shows up and the team leans on its structure, the U. S. remains a difficult matchup in these Olympics.
