U.S. women thump rival Canada in Olympic group play

The U.S. women's hockey team beat Canada 5-0 in group play at the Olympics on Tuesday.

The result marks the largest margin of victory ever in a Canada-USA women's hockey game at the Olympics and extends the United States' win streak over its longtime rival to seven.

Canada had never been shut out at the Olympics before, and it's their first round-robin loss since 1998, when women's hockey debuted.

The USA tops Group A with the win and will face Italy in the quarterfinals. Canada plays Finland on Thursday in its final round-robin contest.

Canada was without captain Marie-Philip Poulin due to a lower-body injury sustained Monday against Czechia. Head coach Troy Ryan said postgame that Poulin will be reassessed Wednesday and is doubtful for Canada's next contest versus Finland, but he's "optimistic" she'll return during these Olympics," according to Boston Globe's Matt Porter.

Caroline Harvey opened the scoring Tuesday before the five-minute mark, and Team USA never looked back.

Hilary Knight tied Jenny Potter's all-time American Olympic scoring record with an assist on Harvey's opening goal, bringing her total to 32 points. The U.S. captain is in her fifth Games, which she has already announced will be her last.

Hannah Bilka tallied two goals, while Kirsten Simms and Laila Edwards also found the back of the net. Abbey Murphy notched three assists and drew four penalties.

Canada pulled goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens after allowing the fifth goal with just over eight minutes left. She was 7-0 in her Olympic career entering Tuesday's clash.

Aerin Frankel made 20 saves for the shutout.

Canada and the United States have faced off in six of the seven women's hockey Olympic gold-medal games, with the exception coming in 2006.