The U.S. men look to start a World Championship with four straight wins for the first time since 1939, against Belarus in Ostrava, Czech Republic, at 10 a.m. ET, live on NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra.
The U.S. leads its eight-team group and can move closer to securing a quarterfinal berth in Thursday’s game, its fourth of seven in group play.
The U.S. already owns victories over defending World champion Russia and Olympic bronze medalist Finland, plus Norway. It next plays Denmark (Friday), Slovenia (Sunday) and Slovakia (Tuesday) before next Thursday’s quarterfinals.
The U.S. has won three Worlds medals since 1962, all bronze. It is 5-0 all time against Belarus in World Championship history. Belarus is best known in major international play for upsetting Sweden in the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Games quarterfinals and finishing fourth.
Two-time reigning Olympic champion Canada, captained by Sidney Crosby, leads the group opposite the U.S.
WATCH LIVE: U.S.-Belarus in World Championship group play — 10 a.m. ET