Safe to say the Americans are off to a hot start at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

After Team USA’s crushing 6-1 defeat of Finland in their opening match Thursday, captain Auston Matthews spoke with NHL Network’s Mike Kelly about the group’s strong third period following a slow offensive start.

“Yeah, I think just sticking with it, obviously that goal to start there on the power play in the third was big and I think we just continued to roll it over,” Matthews said. “It’s a good team over there, good structure, you know the first 40 minutes, good looks on both sides. But I think just sticking with it, continuing to force pressure, get pucks in below the dots and then try to work from there and then attack the net.

Finland opened the scoring seven minutes into the first period with a tight shot from Henri Jokiharju that beat US goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. The US responded minutes later when Brady Tkachuk buried their first of the tournament off Juuse Saros’ pads. Late in the second, Matt Boldy tipped one in to give the Americans their first lead of the game. Entering the third with a power play, Matthew Tkachuk and Jake Guentzel quickly potted two in the opening thirty seconds of the period. The US continued to absolutely dominate the third period with four goals in 11 minutes, courtesy of the Tkachuk brothers who both added a second goal to their tally.

Matthews praised the siblings, who come from two of Toronto’s Atlantic division rivals. “Those two guys are some of the best in front of the net, tipping pucks, getting rebounds out there and they got great skill to put pucks away and put it in. So they were great tonight.”

Matthews led the American forward group with 19:52 TOI and added an assist. He had two shots on net and multiple efforts that hit the iron. Overall, he says he’s happy with his game:

“Yeah, felt good. I thought early on I had some good looks,” Matthews told reporters. “Started to work it on the power play a little bit. Got that confidence going, you know I just want to continue to build positive steps as this tournament goes along.

With the regulation win, the Americans walk away with a crucial three points. Now, the US will turn their attention to an all-important match against Team Canada set for this Saturday at 8 PM. A regulation win would clinch the Americans a place in the final in Boston next week.

Meanwhile, the Canadians are looking to build off their big OT win against Sweden (did we mention yet that Mitch Marner scored that game-winning goal?) and take advantage of home ice at the Bell Centre. Knowing what Team Canada can bring, Matthews says his team will have to come prepared:

“Yeah, I mean, we know the building is gonna be rocking. They’re obviously a pretty good team, a lot of great players on that side. And you know we expect their best, so we know we gotta be ready.

No doubt the building will be rocking, booing, and cheering, as this historic hockey rivalry takes centre stage this weekend in Montreal.