Dylan Larkin Worlds

U.S. center Dylan Larkin, from the Red Wings, and Germany's Gerrit Fauser battle for the puck.

(The Associated Press)

The U.S. dominated Germany over the final two periods Friday in the World Championship opener, but Thomas Greiss was tough to beat.

Greiss made 42 saves and Patrick Hager's power-play goal in the third period snapped a tie as host Germany defeated Team USA 2-1 in Cologne.

A tripping penalty on Detroit Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser proved costly when Hager deflected a shot from the point by Dennis Seidenberg past Jimmy Howard with 6:02 remaining in regulation.

Howard made 25 saves.

The U.S. outshot Germany 32-12 in the final two periods combined.

American captain Connor Murphy (Arizona Coyotes) tied it at 1-1 at 9:00 of the third period on a wrist shot through traffic. Detroit's Dylan Larkin assisted on the goal.

Tobias Rieder (Arizona) opened the scoring at 10:50 of the first period. He corralled a loose puck mishandled in front of the net by Anders Lee and tucked it past Howard.

The U.S., coached by the Red Wings' Jeff Blashill, faces Denmark on Sunday (10:15 a.m. ET, NHL Network) in Pool A.

Canada defeats Czechs, Mrazek

Canada got goals from Ryan O'Reilly, Mike Matheson, Tyson Barrie and Jeff Skinner (empty net) to defeat the Czech Repulic 4-1 in Paris, France, in Group B.

The Red Wings' Petr Mrazek stopped 24-of-27 shots for the Czechs. Calvin Pickard made 28 saves for Canada.

Russia defeated Sweden 2-1 in shootout in Pool A while Finland edged Belarus 3-2 in Pool B.