Group A Preliminary Games
10:15 AM ET: Finland vs Canada
Finland only has four players who played in North America this season, and only two in the NHL: Henri Jokiharju and Juho Lammikko. That isn’t to say they don’t have a good roster. A lot of eyes will be on Kaapo Kakko, presumed to be one of the first two names called at this year’s NHL Draft. They also have Oliwer Kaski who has drawn NHL interest. Canada’s biggest loss may have happened on Thursday when John Tavares returned to Toronto with an oblique injury. Canada’s depth will be tested, and it’s not an easy start to their tournament.
The game will be shown on TSN 1/3/4 and RDS in Canada and NHL Network in the US.
2:15 PM ET: USA vs Slovakia
Tomas Tatar is the only player who played for the Montreal Canadiens currently on a roster (and one of three members of the organization), and he will lead the host Slovaks into battle against an American team that may very well be one of the favourites in this tournament. Also playing for Slovakia is Ladislav Nagy. The former NHLer turns 40 in June. For Team USA, Cayden Primeau is expected to be the third goaltender. The Americans are led by Jack Eichel, Alex DeBrincat, Johnny Gaudreau, and the Hughes brothers Jack and Quinn. It’s a young, exciting team and should do very well.
The game will be shown on TSN 1/4 in Canada and NHL Network in the USA.
Group B Preliminary Games
10:15 AM ET: Russia vs Norway
Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Nikita Kucherov, and Andrei Vasilevskiy lead a very strong Russian team into action, and their presence is not great news for Norway, who are going to be overmatched in this one. The Russians, due to the results of the NHL Playoffs are more NHL-heavy than in past years. Only nine players are from the KHL. Norway’s lone NHL player is former Canadien Andreas Martinsen.
The game will be on TSN 5 in Canada.
2:15 PM ET: Czech Republic vs Sweden
David Sklenicka and Martin Moravcik are part of a Czech Republic team that will be relying on Jakub Voracek, and Ondrej Palat to lead them offensively and it’s not an easy start for them against a Sweden team that is always tough. Sweden is led in goal by Henrik Lundqvist and NHL rookie sensation Elias Pettersson leads a lineup that is high on depth but lacking the high-end talent depth of the Americans and Russians.
The game will be on TSN 3/5 and RDS in Canada.
All games shown on TSN will be streamed on TSN Go in Canada, but it requires a subscription to TSN.
