Team USA Prepares for Germany Clash After Tkachuk-Fueled Win
USA hockey arrives at its next preliminary-round test riding a surge of momentum. After a rugged, come-from-behind victory over Denmark in Milan, the Americans are scheduled to face Germany at 3: 10 p. m. ET as the Olympic tournament heads toward its Feb. 22 conclusion.
Tkachuk’s physical edge rewrites the game
Saturday’s group-stage contest provided a reminder of what this roster leans on most: relentless energy and a willingness to mix it up. Brady Tkachuk dominated headlines with an old-school blend of muscle and timely offense. Less than three minutes into the game, he repeatedly battled a hulking opponent in the corner, using his body to pry the puck free and set a tone that rippled through the American lineup.
That physicality didn’t come at the expense of production. Tkachuk finished the night with a crucial goal that turned the tide for the U. S., and his animated celebration captured how much representing his country means to him. “It’s a pretty cool feeling scoring for your country, ” he said after the win, sentiment that echoed throughout the locker room.
Head coach Mike Sullivan distilled Tkachuk’s impact in a single observation: the forward drags teammates into the fight, both literally and figuratively. His vocal presence on the bench and his willingness to battle in the murky areas around the crease are central to the team’s identity. For a side that often fashions itself after gritty, blue-collar Olympic archetypes, Tkachuk is the living embodiment of that approach.
What to watch in the USA–Germany matchup
The Americans will need to replicate the intensity that turned the Denmark game around from the opening puck drop. Early lapses in concentration left them trailing and forced Tkachuk and others to claw back. Against Germany, a disciplined start will be essential; the preliminary round leaves little margin for error, and games can flip on a single sequence.
Special teams and discipline will also factor heavily. Physical play has been an advantage for the U. S., but it can bring penalties that swing momentum the other way. If Team USA can channel Tkachuk’s edge without sacrificing composure, it will put pressure on Germany’s zone entries and faceoff battles. Conversely, Germany will test the Americans with structure and puck management—forcing turnovers and quick transitions that punish overcommitment.
Line matchups will be instructive. Expect coaches to seek favorable assignments for their checking lines while trying to free top scorers for high-danger touches. Goaltending will also shape the contest; timely saves can quiet a roaring crowd and tilt a tight preliminary game in unexpected directions.
For fans keeping an eye on the schedule, the matchup is set for 3: 10 p. m. ET in Milan. With the tournament running through Feb. 22, every group-stage game takes on outsized importance as teams jockey for seeding and momentum heading into the knockout rounds.
More than tactics, this matchup is another barometer of Team USA’s temperament. If the Americans can pair their trademark bite with smarter puck management, they’ll enter the elimination phase with confidence. If they rely solely on physicality without tightening gaps and limiting turnovers, Germany and other opponents will have openings to exploit.
Either way, the narrative coming out of Milan is clear: this Team USA leans on fire and grit, and when players like Brady Tkachuk bring both, the group looks every bit like an Olympic contender.
