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.

14-Tomas Plekanec - Czech Republic vs. Denmark

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