Report: Thompson, Pesce on standby for Team USA

Team USA has been granted permission to call Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson and New Jersey Devils defenseman Brett Pesce to Boston in the event of injuries or illnesses ahead of Thursday's 4 Nations Face-Off finale, reports The Athletic's Michael Russo.

Thompson can only enter the lineup if the U.S. has fewer than 12 healthy forwards, and Pesce can join if the team has fewer than six defensemen.

Quinn Hughes was initially eyed as a replacement if the national team was to have another absence on the back end, but the Vancouver Canucks captain wasn't medically cleared.

Jake Sanderson replaced Charlie McAvoy in the lineup for the United States' 2-1 loss to Sweden on Monday. McAvoy has been ruled out of Thursday's championship game against Canada due to a shoulder injury.

Thompson was one of the final cuts for Team USA, according to ESPN's Emily Kaplan. His 26 goals in 48 outings this season are the third most among all U.S.-born skaters, trailing only 4 Nations Face-Off teammates Jake Guentzel and Kyle Connor.

Pesce has recorded 11 points in 48 games for the Devils this campaign while averaging 20:47 of ice time.

The U.S. held captain Auston Matthews and star forward Matthew Tkachuk out of Monday's matchup with the Swedes, but both confirmed Wednesday that they'd be good to go against Canada.

Brady Tkachuk missed Wednesday's practice due to illness after getting hurt Monday, but he's also expected to play.

The United States beat Canada 3-1 in the longtime rivals' first meeting at the tournament Saturday. The puck drops on the rematch at 8 p.m. ET.