MONTREAL — Anyone wondering why Jack Eichel is challenging Canadian phenom Connor McDavid's claim of top prospect for the 2015 NHL Draft got their answer in the Americans' opening game of the world junior championship.

Eichel made a sharp move to set up Alex Tuch's goal in regulation time and snapped one past goalie Ville Husso in a shootout as the United States downed defending champion Finland 2-1 on Friday afternoon.

The 18-year-old Eichel seemed to own the puck when he was on the ice, and only a solid game from Husso and some tenacious Finland checking kept the score close. Eichel and Tuch each had five of the American's 38 shots.

"Jack is an unbelievable player," said American defenceman Noah Hanifin, who is also expected to be a top-five pick in the draft. "Playing against him, you just have to be aware every time he's on the ice. He's just so explosive, he can make a play any second in the game."

Finland's Mikko Rantanen scored 1:22 into the game, before Tuch tied it on a power play at 13:54, for the only goals in regulation time and overtime.

In the shootout, Eichel beat Husso on the first shot. Finland captain Artturi Lehkonen tied it, but Chase De Leo got one to win it for the U.S.

"We battled hard from start to finish," said Eichel, the American captain. "We knew it was going to be a tough game.

"They're the defending champions. You have to give them credit. They played a really close checking game. It's really good for us to get the win. Hopefully we can build off it and get some confidence."

Most scouting services have McDavid and Eichel ranked one-two for the draft and both will likely figure prominently in the tournament, especially when Canada faces the Americans on New Year's Eve.

Chances are, the Canadian crowd won't go easy on Eichel.

"I know we'll be scrutinized and up against things," he said. "But we don't want to let the crowd or any outside distractions get to us. We just want to focus on playing hockey."

Finland caused a surprise when Juuse Saros, the hero of last year's gold medal performance in Malmo, Sweden, did not get the start in goal. But coach Hannu Jortikka said it was no surprise to anyone watching Finnish hockey.

"Husso plays in the Finnish league all the time like a number one goalie for IFK Helsinki and he's been unbelievably good season," said Jortikka. "We have two top goalies at this moment. When we go a couple of games more, then we must decide who is number one."

Finland plays Saturday against Slovakia and faces Canada on Monday.

"After that, I'll know much more about my team," said Jortikka. "Always, when you start a tournament, nobody knows exactly where you are. Everybody is a little bit 'what is our level?' We must play a couple of more games and then we'll know our level."

The Finns scored on the first chance of the game when a mix up between goalie Thatcher Demko and 17-year-old Noah Hanifin left the puck for another draft eligible player, Rantanen. He banked the puck in from behind the net off the skate of 2016 draft eligible centre Austen Matthews.

Eichel showed his skill when he played the puck off the boards to himself on a power play, then made a perfect feed to Tuch to tie the game.

The Americans had several glittering chances, like Nick Schmaltz missing an open net midway through the second frame, moments after Sonny Milano rang one off the crossbar.

Finland's Julius Honka came close 11 minutes into the third on a power play when his point shot got through traffic, but it looked to hit a post.

"I think it hits the crossbar or something," said Honka. "But if we keep playing like that, we'll score goals."

The U.S. outshot Finland 38-29, including 4-1 in the five-minute overtime.