Team USA reignites Gaudreau-Hayes connection in world championships win

When Johnny Gaudreau scored 36 goals in 40 games for Boston College in 2013-14, the center who set the table for him most nights was Kevin Hayes.

“We are pretty close friends off the ice and that helps bring chemistry to what we do on the ice,” Gaudreau told Paste BN Sports. “We always found each other on the ice. We found the net together and made plays. He’s a great playmaker.”

Their bond served them well again Sunday when Hayes (New York Rangers) set up Gaudreau (Calgary Flames) for a pair of goals to spark the USA to a 6-1 win against Slovakia at the IIHF World Championships in Cologne, Germany.

“He set me up for two empty-net tap-ins,” Gaudreau said. “It’s good to have him back at center.”

The Americans have a five-game winning streak at the world championships for the first time since 1990. They are assured of a spot in the quarterfinals, even though they have one remaining preliminary round game against Russia on Tuesday (10:15 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network).

Gaudreau has been a key performer, scoring six goals in the last six games.

“What I’ve been most impressed by with Johnny is his compete level,” U.S. coach Jeff Blashill (Detroit Red Wings) said. “How hard he tracks back to be on the back-check. How hard he comes to the bench for changes. He’s a real example of what it takes to be successful at high levels. Certainly he has lots of skill, but the other things make him a winner.”

The Americans are trying to win their third medal in the past five years, after winning just two in the previous 47 years. The Americans haven’t won the event since 1960 when the Olympic champion was considered the world champion.

Goalie Jimmy Howard (Detroit Red Wings) had 19 saves against Slovakia. Clayton Keller and Christian Dvorak (Arizona Coyotes) also scored for the USA, as did Jacob Trouba (Winnipeg Jets) and Anders Lee (New York Islanders).

“The team is playing well right now,” Gaudreau said. “We are excited about the group we have over here.”

Hayes and defenseman Brady Skjei played their first game after joining the U.S. team after the Rangers were eliminated by the Ottawa Senators in the playoffs.

“I like our work ethic and how we compete,” Blashill said. “But we certainly have to get better. We will have to play better against Russia to have a good chance to win. Puck management will be a big focus.”

Blashill said the Americans have to give up fewer chances on the rush. “A lot of those have come from turnovers,” Blashill said. “We have to be better with the puck if we want the long-term success we want to have.”