Max Pacioretty scored a goal and two assists as the United States defeated France 7-2 in the opening game of the World Hockey championships in Helsinki. Pacioretty opened the game on a line with Colorado’s Paul Stastny and Anaheim’s Bobby Ryan. Stastny recorded three assists and Ryan added a goal.
Pacioretty also shared the game lead with five shots on goal.
The US will play Canada on Saturday. Canada shut out Slovakia 3-2 in their tournament opener. Canada is without P.K. Subban who was sent back to Canada earlier in the week with a knee injury.
In other games Friday – Tomas Plekanec recorded an assist as the Czech Republic shut out Denmark 2-0 in Stockholm. Plekanec assisted on a goal scored by Ales Hemsky of the Edmonton Oilers. Lars Eller was in the lineup playing right wing on a the Danish top line centred by the Islanders Frans Nielsen. l