Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk out as U.S. meets Sweden ESPN

BOSTON -- Auston Matthews, Team USA's No. 1 center and captain, joined star forward Matthew Tkachuk and did not play in Monday's 4 Nations Face-Off game against Sweden at TD Garden.

Matthews had some upper body soreness after the win over Canada game Saturday but was expected to be in uniform for the rematch in Thursday's championship.

Matthews has one assist in two games for the U.S., averaging 20 minutes, 16 seconds in ice time. The Toronto Maple Leafs star has won 63% of his faceoffs in the tournament. His absence meant that the U.S. had to play Sweden with only 17 skaters -- 11 forwards and six defensemen -- having used their reserve forward and defenseman for Tkachuk and Charlie McAvoy respectively.

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Earlier in the day, American coach Mike Sullivan said that New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider would draw in for Tkachuk, who sat out the final 12:36 of the third period of Team USA's win over Canada because of a lower-body injury. Tkachuk set the tone in that game with the first of three fights between the teams in the opening nine seconds Saturday night, setting a new record for the earliest fight in an NHL international game.

The Florida Panthers forward's absence Monday wasn't a total surprise, as the U.S. had already clinched a spot in Thursday's championship game at TD Garden.

Sullivan announced two other lineup changes against Sweden, as defenseman Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators) swapped in for McAvoy (Boston Bruins) and Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars) received the start in goal, earning Connor Hellebuyck a breather. The Winnipeg Jets goaltender has been the tournament's best netminder, giving up only two goals on 47 shots (.957 save percentage). Oettinger played three years of college hockey at Boston University.