Team USA announced captain Auston Matthews missed Monday’s game against Sweden with upper-body soreness, according to The Athletic’s Michael Russo.
The 2-1 loss to Sweden didn’t affect tournament seeding. Matthews is expected to return for Thursday’s final against Canada.
The U.S. dressed 17 skaters, playing shorthanded after Matthew Tkachuk and Charlie McAvoy were sidelined. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck also didn’t dress.
Chris Kreider, Jake Sanderson, and Jake Oettinger made their first appearances in the tournament. Jeremy Swayman served as backup goaltender.
Matthews has missed 15 games this season in two separate stints with an upper-body injury.
