3 'Star' keys to success for United States against Russia at WJC

The NHL Network will air every game of the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
It includes comprehensive coverage of the United States National Junior Team, which will play the first of four preliminary-round games in Group B against Russia on Friday (9:30 p.m. ET; NHLN). The United States also will play Austria (Dec. 26), Czech Republic (Dec. 29) and Sweden (Dec. 31). The playoff round begins Jan. 2.
Longtime NCAA hockey analyst Dave Starman, who will handle the broadcast along with Stephen Nelson, will give his three keys to victory for the United States before each of their games during the 12-day tournament.

"The key (against Russia) is play hard, play smart, play to win, find some chemistry, and establish some identity, and move on to Game 2 (against Austria)," Starman said.
Here are Starman's 3 keys to victory for the United States against Russia:

1. Share the puck

"A lot of talented players on the ice together, many of whom carry the mail for their respective teams back home, can create a puck void for some players. Some are used to having a line run through them and thrive on possession time. If that doesn't happen, it can cause some wires to cross; this is the albatross the "Big Five" teams (United States, Canada, Sweden, Russia, Finland) carry. The team that sorts this out quickly and efficiently usually finds long-term success."

2. Veterans must lead

"Among returners, players like forward Cole Caufield and defenseman Cam York didn't have huge roles or success last year and that has to change. (Goalie) Spencer Knight was real good last year, and he needs to be even better this time around. With his prep and how he's wired, as well as a challenge from goalie Dustin Wolf for minutes, Knight should a huge factor."

3. Play to get better

"You can lose this game with no harm, no foul, in the big picture. One exhibition game, a 3-2 win against Finland on Thursday, isn't a lot, so this game is unique as it's sort of an exhibition game despite being in pool play. The trick is, in years where you have three of the big five on your side, which the U.S. does, you can't finish third. If you do, you get a traditional heavyweight on Jan. 2 to open the crossover, and that's where bad things can happen. It's Game 5 (in the playoff round) that matters, and getting better every day. Until then, it starts with Game 1. Remember, the 2013 U.S. National Junior Team that won gold was 2-2 heading to Jan. 2, having lost to Canada and Russia in pool play. Then they clicked."