U.S. picks up 5th win ahead of showdown with Russia at hockey worlds

The United States defeated Slovakia 6-1 Sunday to stretch its winning run at the ice hockey world championship to five games ahead of its Group A showdown with Russia.

Johnny Gaudreau finished with two goals to take his tournament tally to six, and an assist, while Jimmy Howard made 19 saves on his fourth start for the Americans, whose confidence seems to be growing with a quarterfinal place secured.

Still, U.S. head coach Jeff Blashill saw room for improvement before the final group game against Russia on Tuesday.

"One thing we have to clean up is puck management and turning pucks over," Blashill said.

Kevin Hayes and Brady Skjei played their first game on joining the side following the New York Rangers' elimination from the NHL playoffs.

Skjei had an assist while Hayes picked up two and Blashill praised both for their performances.

Clayton Keller, the youngest player at the tournament, opened the scoring, assisted by Anders Lee and Skjei. It was the 18-year-old Keller's fifth goal of the championship.

Gaudreau followed suit early in the second period, set up by Hayes before Martin Gernat pulled one back.

Two quick-fire goals from Christian Dvorak, assisted by Gaudreau, and Jacob Trouba put the U.S. in a comfortable position.

Gaudreau grabbed his second of the game to start the third period — Hayes again with the assist — before Lee scored on a power play.

The U.S. moved top of Group A, one point ahead of Russia, which has a game in hand. The Russians face Latvia on Monday, when the U.S. is not in action.

Sweden books quarter-final place

Sweden, which was boosted by the arrivals of centre Nicklas Backstrom and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, booked its quarter-final place later Sunday with a 4-2 win over Scandinavian rival Denmark.

Joel Lundqvist and two goals from William Nylander put the Swedes in a commanding position before Morten Madsen and Markus Lauridsen pulled Denmark back in the third period.

Backstrom sealed the win on a power play as Sweden ensured it cannot finish any lower than fourth in Group A.

The top four in each group go through to the quarterfinals.

The Czech Republic ended France's hopes of making the quarterfinals from Group B with a 5-2 victory in Paris.

Co-host French failed to make the most of two 5-on-3 chances and more power play time, 10:35 compared to just 2:43 for the Czechs.

Finland came from two goals down to beat the Swiss 3-2 in overtime in Group B.

Fabrice Herzog and Joel Genazzi put Switzerland two goals up before Juuso Hietanen pulled one back on a power play before the end of the first interval and Mikko Rantanen equalized in the third to send the game to overtime. Valtteri Filppula scored the winner as Finland consolidated fourth place in the group.