NHL

US more dominant than Canada or Russia in hockey openers

Thursday’s action in Sochi

Team USA gets the gold star for the most impressive opening-game performance in the tournament with its 7-1 victory over Slovakia that was about that close. The Yanks, whose speed and attack mentality dictated the tempo from the opening faceoff, scored six goals within a span of 13:51 starting with the second minute of the second period to bust up what had been a 1-1 game.

Ryan McDonagh was outstanding at both ends of the ice, getting 18:38 in his Olympic debut while paired on defense primarily with Kevin Shattenkirk. Ryan Callahan, right wing on a line with Zach Parise on the left and David Backes in the middle, played 15:43. Derek Stepan, the third Ranger on the squad, was the scratch up front while Carolina’s Justin Faulk sat out on defense. Jonathan Quick wasn’t tested often, but was fine in facing 23 shots. Paul Stastny — whose father, Peter, was the flag-bearer for Slovakia in the 1994 Games in Lillehammer two years after his native country gained independence — scored twice.

Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello kept Norway in it against Canada.AP

Canada and Russia, meanwhile, were both ordinary in recording victories over unheralded opponents. Russia scored a pair of goals early in the third period against Slovenia to break open a 3-2 game and record a 5-2 victory while Canada was workmanlike in defeating Norway 3-1. The Rangers’ Mats Zuccarello, the only Norwegian in the NHL, had the most ice time of any forward in the match, getting 23:57 during which he had one shot against Carey Price.

Finland routed Austria 8-4, getting a pair of goals from one-time Ranger Jarkko Immonen. The Islanders’ Michael Grabner recorded a hat trick for the Austrians.

Keep in mind that preliminary-round games, and certainly opening games, are not necessarily a harbinger of things to come. Canada, for instance, was blown out by Sweden 5-2 in their 2002 opener and finished third in its four-team group with a 1-1-1 record before winning the gold medal in Salt Lake City.

Due up Friday

Canada goes back at it against Austria, Finland meets Norway, Sweden faces Switzerland and the Czech Republic plays Latvia.