Auston Matthews kicked it up a notch for the United States in a 6-3 win over Belarus in their second preliminary match at the World Hockey Championship.

Coming off a stellar performance in an opening loss to Canada, Matthews was even better in his second game with two goals and an assist in the victory.

Chris Wideman, Noah Hanifin, Dylan Larkin and Miles Wood also scored for the Americans (1-1). Geoff Platt, Andrei Stas and Dmitri Korobov countered with goals for Belarus (0-2).

Matthews, who is expected to be selected first overall in the upcoming NHL draft on June 24, got in on the action midway through the first period as the U.S. jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a power-play goal from defenceman Chris Wideman.

The 18-year-old collected an errant shot along the half boards and fed Wideman at the blueline with an ice-opening pass. Wideman’s wrist shot found its way through a screen and into the back of the net.

Leading 4-1 near the end of the second period, Matthews gave the Americans even more cushion with another power-play strike – the first goal of his world championship tenure.

As four penalty killers drifted toward the puck on the right wing boards, Matthews slid towards the goal undetected, collected a cross-ice pass from forward Kyle Connor and buried a shot over the blocker shoulder of goalie Kevin Lalande.

After Belarus clawed back to within two on goals by Stas and Korobov, Matthews put the game on ice with a wrister from the slot for his second tally of the game.

The Scottsdale, Arizona native jumped into a 4-on-3 rush as the trailer and put a pass from Frank Vatrano in the back of the night from between the circles.

Matthews and Team USA are back in action Monday against Finland.