After going two-for-two in the opening games of the men's hockey tournament, Team USA will look to complete a clean sweep of the opening round with its final group stage match against Germany on Sunday afternoon.

The expectations were sky-high for the U.S. coming into the tournament, with the roster being filled with professional NHL stars for the first time since 2014. So far, the squad has put a strong foot forward, defeating Latvia 5-1 and Denmark 6-3 and outscoring their opponents 11-4. Nine different players have found the back of the net for the team, while Brady Tkachuk and Brock Nelson each have scored twice.

One spot where the team has struggled, however, has been its first period play. Against Latvia, the two teams were tied at one goal apiece at the end of the first period after a pair of U.S. goals were called off. Against Denmark, the U.S. trailed 2-1 at the end of the first period, with Denmark scoring a go-ahead slapshot that snuck by goalie Jeremy Swayman. In both games, the United States has let loose a three-goal onslaught in the second period that proved the difference.

"It is just a battle with adversity. I will do whatever I have to do to stop the puck," said Swayman after the victory over Denmark. "I am really proud of this group for staying even-keeled. The confidence never left the group, and that is a serious trait at this stage of the tournament. The guys rallied and we got it done."

For the German squad, the tournament has been a little tighter. The team started off their Olympic run with a bang, with superstar Leon Draisaitl scoring just 23 seconds into Germany's opening match against Denmark. The Germans would go on to win the matchup 3-1. Against Latvia,  Germany kept close the entire match, scoring first and entering the third period deadlocked at 2-2. However, two goals in a three-minute stretch halfway through the third proved insurmountable, dropping the German team to 1-1.

On Sunday, setting the tone in the first period may prove a key to success. If the United States can improve its first-period play, it may be difficult for the Germans (or nearly any team in the tournament) to keep pace, since the team has improved throughout each of its two games thus far.

"I think in both of our games, in the second periods, we controlled play," U.S. captain Auston Matthews said after the Denmark game. "We have had the puck in their zone, and just kind of wearing down their team and their players, we are controlling the play and getting that momentum."

For Germany, getting on the scoreboard early will be essential in bouncing back and building momentum against a relentless U.S. squad. They will look to Tim Stutzle, who leads the tournament with three goals, and Draisaitl, who is currently fifth in the NHL in total points scored, to set the tone after a quick turnaround from Saturday's loss.

“We need to turn the page. ... There is not much time in this tournament," forward Nico Strum said. "We want to analyze the mistakes that we made, [and] see what we can do better. ... Not much time to dwell on it. Thankfully, we [have] got another chance right away."

Entering Sunday, Team USA sits at the top of the men's group C standings, while Germany is in 3rd place behind Latvia. Denmark is at the bottom of the group.