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TORONTO -- When the United States filled out its roster for the World Cup of Hockey, it looked heavy on grit and physicality and light on skill and scoring.That became reality in the Americans stunning 3-0 loss to unheralded Team Europe on Saturday in the World Cup opener. With offensive defenseman Dustin Byfuglien and 30-goal scorer Kyle Palmieri scratched, the U.S. struggled to generate quality scoring chances and finds itself in trouble one game into the tournament.It was just tough to score, winger Zach Parise said. There are guys that have different roles and different jobs on the team. Guys that play with grit, play hard -- but it was just tough to score for us tonight.Jaroslav Halak stopped all 35 shots he faced to earn the shutout for Team Europe, a mix of players from Slovakia, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Norway, Denmark, France and Slovenia. Marian Gaborik, Leon Draisaitl and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare scored on U.S. goaltender Jonathan Quick, who made 14 saves.Despite the lopsided shot total and the Americans dominant puck possession, Europe was in control for most of the game because of major mistakes. Defenseman Ryan McDonagh made an ill-advised pinch to set up a 2-on-1 rush that led to Gaboriks goal, and Hart Trophy winner Patrick Kane turned the puck over to give Europe a 2-on-0 rush that led to Draisaitls goal.You saw on a couple of our mistakes -- turnovers, pinching, giving them odd-man breaks -- they were able to capitalize, Kane said. On that second goal, Ill definitely take the fault on that one. Thats a play that Ive made a million times in my career. Just kind of lost the puck, and the next thing you know they go down 2 on 0. Thats unacceptable from me.It was an unacceptable performance for the U.S., which now has been shut out in three consecutive major international tournament games dating to the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Leaving skilled players such as?Tyler Johnson and Kyle Okposo off the roster sparked plenty of second-guessing of the U.S. management team, and that criticism wont slow down after losing to Team Europe.Defenseman Ryan Suter called Sochi a setback, and the first game of the World Cup wasnt a step forward.If you go back nine (international) periods where you dont get anything, its frustrating but weve had some looks along the way, captain Joe Pavelski said. We had the power plays, we had some chances, we had a few looks. Weve got to strike when we get those.The U.S. had a power-play goal disallowed when James van Riemsdyk was ruled to have intentionally directed the puck in with his chest. Coach John Tortorella believed it should have been a goal because the puck went off Derek Stepans helmet, but the NHL explained it had no bearing and the goal should not count.Tortorella defended his decision to sit Byfuglien and Palmieri, saying this was what the coaching staff believed was the best lineup. The result didnt prove that, and the top offensive players accepted responsibility for not being sharp enough.Europe coach Ralph Krueger knew his team had to play a perfect game to beat the U.S. Captain Anze Kopitar called this a boring game, but it got the job done; Europe made good on Kruegers pledge that the team was ready to look America in the eyes.That belief extended to the locker room, even if beating the U.S. looked shocking from the outside.From the outside, we got stamped up as the underdog here, Draisaitl said. I think we all understand that, but at the same time, we have some really good players on our team as well. A lot of experience. A big win for us.For Europe, it was a long way from blowout losses to the 23-and-under Team North America in exhibition play. Krueger emphasized that the Europeans werent satisfied to play one strong game.We didnt see ourselves as just a sideshow, ever, Krueger said. Weve come here to play nine periods and like everybody else we want to play next weekend.To advance to play next weekend in the semifinals, the U.S. must either beat favored Canada on Tuesday or hope for a miracle elsewhere in Group A. With only three games of round-robin play, a regulation loss is a significant blow.Weve put ourselves in a spot now were chasing, Tortorella said. Were chasing the tournament. Its a spot we didnt want to be in. Its a very dangerous spot, but we are here. Calgary Flames Shirts . PAUL, Minn. Fake Flames Jerseys . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. https://www.cheapflames.com/ . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. Calgary Flames Store . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. Calgary Flames Pro Shop . Spiller left Week 3s 27-20 loss to the New York Jets with a thigh injury, but fully practiced with the team all week and expects to be ready to go on Sunday. Training camps are opening around the NHL with a little more elbow room than usual.Thanks to the World Cup of Hockey, more than 150 players and almost half the leagues head coaches werent on the ice with their NHL teams at the start of camp this week. The Chicago Blackhawks are barely recognizable without Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Corey Crawford, Marian Hossa and coach Joel Quenneville. The Washington Capitals dont have Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom or coach Barry Trotz and the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins are without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.Really weird, Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner said Friday. I was looking out on the ice and something doesnt seem right. Were obviously light on numbers, so thats kind of strange. Youre used to having just swarms of guys everywhere and it just doesnt feel that way this year.This is the first time since 2004 that the NHL has held a preseason tournament, and that event happened on the eve of the lockout that canceled the entire season. Camps were already opening later than usual because of the World Cup, and the first preseason games begin Sunday when the Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues have split-squad games in those cities. The real games begin Oct. 12.There isnt much time to get everyone on the same page. Perhaps thats why Penguins coach Mike Sullivan and Edmonton Oilers coach Todd McLellan raced back to be on the ice Friday.This is my responsibility to run this team and I love to do it, said Sullivan, who was an assistant for the U.S. team. Im excited to be a part of it. I didnt want to take any time off.Many World Cup players are being afforded a bit of time off before reporting to work. Washington general manager Brian MacLellan expects U.S. players T.J. Oshie, John Carlson and Matt Niskanen on the ice Monday.The 82-game season is a long enough grind that guys arent rushing back if they dont have to.I know a lot of the guys, at least the American guys, have talked about taking a few days off then going their teams, Kane said Thursday. Ill go back to Chicago and see whats in store and talk to (GM Stan Bowman) and Joel and kind of get a feel for what they want me to do, whats best for me.ddddddddddddPlayers from whichever teams lose in the World Cup semifinals this weekend wont be far behind. In the meantime, their absences open the door for others.Its good for guys who typically wouldnt get a look in camp to show the coaches and scouts and staff what they can do for the future if something happens, San Jose Sharks defenseman Paul Martin said. For the most part, the guys that are gone are guys who can step right back in and be the players that they are for this team. Theres not anything that well be lacking as far as chemistry. It just gives other guys a chance to step up and see what theyve got.The same can be said for coaches. Torontos Mike Babcock was able to check in on the Maple Leafs when they reported for physicals Thursday and is in touch with assistant Jim Hiller every day, just like Capitals associate coach Todd Reirden is with Trotz, a Babcock assistant with Team Canada.Reirden was a finalist for Calgarys coaching vacancy, so running camp in Trotzs absence is more on-the-job training for a head gig.Todds done a great job, MacLellan said. Hes a good communicator. Hes at the point in his career that hes ready to take on more responsibility and hes getting interviewed for head-coaching jobs.However strange these first few days of camp are as coaches and players trickle in, Babcock doesnt think there are any disadvantages to this different year.When the guys are no longer in the tournament theyll take some days off and rejoin the guys, he said. I just think its a win-win situation for (everyone). Anyone that can be involved in the World Cup should be involved in the World Cup because your growth individually and for your team is positive. And then, you know a few days of those veterans in training camp without me, they probably cherish it.---AP Sports Writers Will Graves in Pittsburgh and Josh Dubow in San Jose, California, contributed to this report.---Follow Stephen Whyno on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SWhyno . ' ' '