Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor was scratched for a third straight game for Team USA in their semifinal against Slovakia.
Connor once again skated as the 14th forward for the United States in their gameday skate, as the team made no changes from the lineup that defeated Sweden 2-1 in overtime in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Connor was first left out of the lineup for Sunday’s 5-1 win over Germany, being replaced by Utah Mammoth forward Clayton Keller, who had sat out the first two games.
On defence, Jackson LaCombe skated as an extra once again on Friday and was scratched as well. He has sat out every game of the tournament to date.
Connor’s Jets teammate Connor Hellebuyck will start in net for the semifinal Friday. He has started all but one game for the Americans at the tournament so far.
Not expecting changes from the end of last game
B. Tkachuk – Eichel – M. Tkachuk
Guentzel – Matthews – Boldy
J. Hughes – Larkin – Thompson
Miller – Trocheck – Nelson
Keller
Hughes – McAvoy
Sanderson – Werenski
Slavin – Faber
Hanifin
Hellebuyck
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) February 20, 2026
Connor was scratched from the 4 Nations Face-Off final against Canada last winter after posting one assist in three games prior. He has failed to post a point in two games at the Winter Olympics and is minus-1.
The 29-year-old winger has 25 goals and 64 points in 56 games this season after posting 41 goals and a career-best 97 points in 82 games last season.
LaCombe, 25, was an injury addition to the Americans roster, taking the place of injured Florida Panther defenceman Seth Jones.
