Welcome to the 2020 World Junior Hockey Championships Predictions. Each day, the Last Word on Hockey team will break down and give our 2020 World Junior Hockey Championships predictions for each game in the tournament. This will also include a featured game that should be must-watch hockey. Thursday, December 26th featured game is Canada vs. the United States. This is day one of the 2020 World Junior Hockey Championships.

2020 World Junior Hockey Championships Predictions

Switzerland vs. Kazakhstan

The opening matchup in Group A action sees Team Switzerland taking on Kazakhstan. The Swiss are returning 1o players from last year’s tournament, who upset Sweden in the quarterfinals. They fell short of winning a medal losing to Russia in the bronze medal game. Goaltender Luca Hollenstein is one of the players returning to Switzerland this year. He will need to duplicate his performance from a year ago if the Swiss want any hope of medaling. This will be a good matchup for the Swiss to open the tournament. With Group A being the weaker of the two divisions, getting off on the right foot makes things easier when a team has to go up against the big boys of the group. Despite all of this, one area of weakness for the Swiss if offence. Can they produce enough goals when it matters the most?

Kazakhstan is making its second appearance in the tournament after defeating Denmark in the relegation round during the 2019 World Junior Hockey Championships. It is hard to imagine Kazakhstan avoiding relegation again this year. They start with a tough matchup against the Swiss followed by games against Slovakia, Finland, and then Sweden. Getting a win against Switzerland would go a long way to avoid relegation. In order for that to happen, they will need to play with consistency and have a team effort during each game. With their leading goal scorer no longer on the team, Kazakhstan will need someone else to step up.

Prediction: Switzerland Wins 3-1

Czech Republic vs. Russia

The opening matchup of Group B features the home country of the Czech Republic taking on one of the tournament favourites in Team Russia. The home country is in the “Group of Death.” The Czechs are always one of the dark horses of the tournament. But they always find their way into the medal round. However, this will be very difficult to do. No game will be easy, however, the Czech Republic will need to use the home crowd to their advantage. Another thing that is going in their favour is Russia is usually a slow starter in this tournament. However, with so much riding on opening night, they can’t bank on Russia having a slow start.

Team Russia is a heavy favourite to win this tournament and for good reason. The Russians always bring a talented group to the World Junior Hockey Championships. This year their goaltender Yaroslav Askarov takes centre stage. Askarov is projected to be the first goalie taken in the 2020 NHL Draft. He has the ability to carry the Russians straight to a gold medal. In a group with the United States and Canada, Russia will want to bring their A-game early. A win to start things off will make things a little easier when they have to play the Canadians and Americans in back-to-back games. The Russians have the ability to score goals quickly. So no lead is safe against this team.

Prediction: Russia Wins 4-2

Sweden vs. Finland

The battle between the Scandinavian rivals takes place on opening night as Sweden takes on the defending gold medalists in Team Finland. Sweden is looking for redemption after falling in the quarterfinals in last year’s tournament. Team Sweden will look to stretch their unbeaten streak during round-robin play at the tournament. Currently, Sweden’s streak is at 48 games. Their last round-robin loss came during the 2007 tournament. Entering the tournament Sweden has the best defence similar to what Finland had a couple of years ago. With players like Adam Ginning, Philip Broberg, Rasmus Sandin, Nils Lundkvist, Victor Soderstrom, and Tobies Bjornfot leading the way, the Swedes will be tough to beat for sure.

The team that always goes unnoticed entering this tournament is Team Finland. They are the defending gold medalists and have won gold three times in the past decade. It is usually a boom or bust tournament for Finland. Last year, Finland used a team effort and a hot goaltender to win the gold medal. This year, Finland’s team is much younger, but still very good. However, prior to the tournament beginning, Finland announced forward Anton Lundell will miss the entire tournament with an injury. Rasmus Kupari will have to shoulder the load of the offence in this tournament. Returning on defence is Ville Heinola, Winnipeg Jets defenceman, along with Anttoni Honka and Toni Utunen. Finland’s depth is one of the strengths along with good defence and goaltending. They will need to ride that not only in this game but in the tournament as well.

Prediction: Sweden Wins 3-2

Canada vs. United States

This our World Junior Hockey Championships featured game of the night.

The traditional New Years’ Eve matchup takes centre stage on the opening night of the tournament. The United States takes on Team Canada in a game that will set the tone in Group B. For Canada, this is a big game. With Team Russia looming two days later, the Canadians are not easing into the tournament like in years past. Every year the expectations are set high as it is a gold medal or bust. In a short tournament like this one, Canada’s goaltending will need to play well from the start. Usually, Canada brings a veteran-laden team to the tournament. This year they bring a younger team led by Alexis Lafreniere, Barrett Hayton, Quinton Byfield, and Dylan Cozens. On defence, Canada is led by Ty Smith, Bowen Byram, and Kevin Bahl. If Canada wants to advance far in the tournament they must overcome their shootout deficiencies.

Even with a loss in the opening game, the United States has a chance to bounce back on Friday as they play Team Germany. Team USA is bringing back five players who won a silver medal at the 2019 World Juniors. The United States is loaded up front with Oliver Wahlstrom, Cole Caufield, and Alex Turcotte. Players to keep an eye on are Nick Roberston, John Beecher, and Trevor Zegras. Spencer Knight leads the heavily favoured Team USA in between the pipes. While players like K’Andre Miller and Mattias Samuelsson round out the back end. The United States has taken strides in this tournament. Team USA is looking for their fifth straight medal. There will be lots of fireworks in this one for sure.

Prediction: The United States Wins 3-2

This does it for 2020 World Junior Hockey Championship Predictions for December 26th, check back tomorrow for another edition.

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