2017 World Junior Hockey Championship Semifinal: Canada vs. Sweden preview, start time, TV schedule, and lineups

See the recap of Canada’s win here.

After playing a closer game than most would have predicted against the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals, Canada will be facing its biggest challenge of the tournament yet against Sweden in the semis.

Ahead of the contest, Canadian head coach Dominique Ducharme referenced Sweden’s inability to win in elimination games, which he sees as a potential opening in what has been an otherwise strong performance so far this year.

Team Sweden has no doubt heard his comments and will look to find motivation in them. The Swedes are facing Canada as the tournament’s top team, winning all five of its games played to this point, while sporting a tournament-best +17 goal differential.

Canada’s defence will look to slow down a Swedish side that has scored just as many goals as the Canadians. Led by Buffalo Sabres prospect Alex Nylander, Sweden will look to keep its top line away from Canada’s top defence pairing of Thomas Chabot and Kyle Clague, especially with Chabot dominating the tournament at both ends of the ice, and being their best player last game with eimination on the line.

If there is one advantage for Canada, it is that they faced arguably tougher competition than Sweden, and therefore have needed to play at a higher level than tonight’s opponent to get to the same place.

Sweden seems to have the advantage in net, as neither of Canada’s goaltender has stepped up to take the starting job. Conner Ingram and Carter Hart’s combined save percentage is .855; a worrisome number for a team looking to win a tournament. As per usual, Ducharme will likely wait to announce the game’s starter until closer to game time.

How to watch

Puck drop: 7:30 PM EST / 4:30 PM PST
In Canada: TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5, TSN4K (English), RDS (French)
Streaming: TSNGo

Canada’s projected lineup (subject to change)

Sweden’s projected lineup (subject to change)