2. The Trevor Zegras Show
Team USA Vs. Slovakia (10:30 p.m. ET)
Expect the Trevor Zegras show to continue for Team USA when they take on Slovakia in the 2021 WJC Quarter-Finals today.
Zegras – who was selected with the No. 9 overall pick by the Anaheim Ducks at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft – has been absolutely lights out for Team USA so far with 13 points (6 G, 7 A) in just four games.
He leads the entire tournament in points and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the talented center make the Ducks’ Opening Night roster for the 2020-21 NHL season based on his performance in Edmonton so far.
However, Zegras will no doubt be focussed on unfinished business and helping Team USA to capture Gold, which they have a great chance of doing.
Despite dropping their opening game of the tournament to Russia on Christmas Day, Team USA recovered quickly and won their remaining games to top Group B and remain on course to set up a potential mouthwatering Gold Medal showdown with Team Canada.
In it to win in. @usahockey is making the #WorldJuniors look easy. Check out some of their top plays from the preliminary round. pic.twitter.com/OyadKndCcF
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 2, 2021
They will have to get past Slovakia first, of course, who lost all but one game which was a narrow one to a talent-laden Sweden team.
Slovakia doesn’t boast any standout star but they rely on a total team effort, although they will struggle to breach an American defense that hasn’t allowed a single goal against since their Christmas Day loss to Russia, with goaltenders Dustin Wolf and Spencer Knight combining for three straight shutouts.
Unless something does go drastically wrong, this should be a routine win for Team USA who will again be looking to the likes of Trevor Zegras to put on an absolute clinic.