What to watch for: Czech Republic-USA, Finland-Russia

Czech Republic versus Team USA, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

You might as well call this one the First Flight Home Cup. Because at the end of the night, regardless of who wins, who scores, which goalies make the best saves, which team has the best puck luck, both these teams are done. The Czechs have lived down to the expectation they would be underdogs, getting waxed 6-0 by Canada and then losing in overtime to Team Europe. They have scored just twice, which, oddly enough, matches the offensive output of the Americans, who were shut out 3-0 by Europe and then were eliminated from the semis after losing 4-2 to the Canadians. In talking to a handful of U.S. players on Wednesday, several mentioned the need to end the tournament strongly. It will take stronger internal fortitude than we've seen thus far from the Americans for that to happen, although motivation will also be an issue for a Czech team that has looked lost defensively and whose best player has been goalie Petr Mrazek. For those of a sentimental nature, it's possibly this is the last time you'll see some of the veteran Americans in the familiar red, white and blue at international best-on-best tournaments, given the uncertainty over future Olympic participation by the NHL and the emergence of young American stars Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, Shayne Gostisbehere and others. Even if the NHL goes to the Olympics in 2018, it's likely that Thursday night will be the swan song for two-time Olympian David Backes, as well as Brandon Dubinsky, Jack Johnson and Erik Johnson, all of whom earned Olympic silver in 2010. Do not underestimate the emotional element of that for those American players in this game.

Line watch: One of the frustrating parts of this tournament -- and their last four international games going back to Sochi -- for the U.S. has been an utter lack of scoring, especially from their top players. The U.S. has two goals in their last four best-on-best games and just one of those was scored by a forward. In short, pick any of the high-end American forwards, whether it's Patrick Kane, Blake Wheeler, Joe Pavelski or Max Pacioretty, and this game marks a chance of at least regaining some offensive respect. -- Scott Burnside

Finland versus Russia, 3 p.m. ET (ESPN)

This game has plenty at stake. Russia enters with a 1-1 record and can advance to the semifinals against Canada with a win. Team Finland is 0-2 and is already eliminated from moving on, but it could play the role of spoiler with   a victory. If Finland wins, Russia is eliminated and Team North America advances to play Canada. The young stars have been so exciting to watch and it would only help this tournament if they advance. For Russia, this could decide the international legacy of Alex Ovechkin, who has not won much in best-on-best competitions. If the Russians advance, they would be an intriguing matchup in the semifinals because no one picked them to reach the next round. Sure, the Russians are loaded with offensive firepower, but their defense is suspect. The team's speed and offensive abilities could wreak havoc in the next round, so it would be interesting to see if they can defeat Finland to get there. The Finns are a proud group and despite their record in this tournament, they've played OK. The biggest thing for the reigning Olympic bronze-medal winners is to not get blanked in the wins column.