2018 World Junior Hockey Championship: Canada vs. Finland — Preview, start time, TV schedule, and lineups

The 2018 World Junior Hockey Championship is finally here, and Canada will be facing off against Finland in the second game of the day at Buffalo’s KeyBank Center. Both teams boast impressive talent on the blue line, and while the goaltending edge goes to Carter Hart, both starters could pose a threat to any opposing offence. Neither team really has an offensive superstar like in past tournaments, but the two rosters promise an entertaining matchup.

With the status of Canada’s Dante Fabbro uncertain, head coach Dominique Ducharme told media he planned to dress seven defencemen for their first game of the tournament. The alternate captain returned to full practice on Saturday, and skated with the team on Christmas Day. While Fabbro is expected to play this afternoon, Ducharme has said he plans to ease him into the lineup as he recovers from a lower-body injury.

Finnish defenceman Robin Salo sat out of Monday’s practice due to illness, so it is possible he won’t play in today’s game, though he has been registered on the official roster.

How to watch

Puck drop: 4:00 PM EST / 1:00 PM PST
In Canada: TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5, TSN 4K (English,) RDS (French)
In the United States: NHL Network
Streaming: TSNGO

Team Canada’s projected lineup

Team Finland’s projected lineup