Group A Preliminary Games
1 PM ET: Sweden vs Denmark
Sweden is looking to rebound from a fourth place finish at last year’s World Juniors. They defeated Slovakia and Russia in pre-tournament play. Denmark took Russia to overtime and defeated Latvia in pre-tournament play and are looking to stay in the top division for the fourth straight time. The game will be shown on TSN 1/3/4 and RDS in Canada.
5 PM ET: Finland vs Czech Republic
This defending Gold Medal winners will have a very different look going into this tournament, and while they are high on talent are low on experience and have one of the youngest rosters at the tournament. Finland lost to Canada but defeated Slovakia in pre-tournament play. The Czech Republic lost twice to Canada (once at selection camp, and once in pre-tournament play) and also lost to the United States. They didn’t score a goal in their three games. The game will be on TSN 3/5 and RDS2. NHL Network will carry it in the US (joining in progress after USA-Latvia).
Group B Preliminary Games
3:30 PM ET: United States vs Latvia
The United States are one of the favourites going into the tournament, and will be looking to improve on their bronze medal performance from last year. They defeated Switzerland and the Czech Republic in pre-tournament action. Latvia is not only in their first year back in the top division, they have to play Russia, Canada, Slovakia and the Americans. They lost 3-2 to Denmark in their only pre-tournament game. The game will be on TSN 1/4 and RDS in Canada, NHL Network in the US.
8 PM ET: Canada vs Russia
Montreal Canadiens prospects Noah Juulsen and Mikhail Sergachev will be front and centre in the first game in prime time. These countries have not played each other at the World Juniors since the 2015 Gold Medal game, also in Toronto. Canada won their three pre-tournament games. Russia needed overtime to beat Denmark and lost to Sweden in their two pre-tournament games. The game will be on TSN 1/3/4/5 and RDS in Canada. The NHL Network will be showing the game in the US.
All games shown on TSN will be streamed on TSN Go in Canada, but it requires a subscription to TSN.
