Top Spot in Group A On the Line with USA versus Sweden

Welcome to Last Word On Hockey’s editions of the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships predictions. Throughout the tournament our team will break down key matchups, storylines and stats, then make a prediction on how the game will play out. You can also check out our NHL editions. For this edition, we’ll take a look at the critical Group A finale between the hosts United States and Sweden.

World Junior Championship Predictions: USA vs Sweden

Overall Head-to-Head: Sweden 17- 19 United States; two ties

How to Watch: US TV: NHL Network Canada TV: TSN

Time: 6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Where: Grand Casino Arena (St. Paul, Minn.)

We have arguably the biggest matchup of the tournament in this edition of World Junior Championship predictions. The two-time defending champion United States takes on Sweden with first place on the line. The winner of this matchup gets the bottom team in Group B, while the loser faces a tougher route to the semifinals.

The hosts have shown plenty of offensive flair with 14 goals across three games. However, the Americans have been fast and loose on the defensive end. Team USA can score a ton of goals, but it’ll have to tighten things up on the backend if it wants to win the Group.

Sweden has been one of the top teams in the tournament so far. The Swedes piled up eight goals in demolition of Germany in its last game. Tre Kronor has also looked fantastic on the defensive end and could be the favourites going into the quarterfinals.

Let’s take a look at the stats and storylines going into this round of World Junior Championship predictions.

The USA Story

Team USA has shown that it can light up the scoreboard. We’ve seen the Americans be the offensive juggernaut that they’ve been advertised to be. Even the most formidable defences are going to have a hard time stopping the U.S. attack.

Boston Bruins prospect Will Zellers has been excellent this tournament with four goals and two assists for six points. Fellow Boston prospect James Hagens broke out for two goals in the 6-5 come-from-behind victory against Slovakia.

However, the Americans will have to straighten things out on the backend. Both Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Caleb Heil and Washington Capitals draftee Nick Kempf will have to be better in between the pipes.

The Sweden Story

Sweden is also rolling to the Group A finale with an unbeaten record. The Swedes demolished Germany with a comprehensive 8-1 rout. There were some nervy moments against Slovakia and Switzerland, but Sweden still controls its own destiny in the group.

Chicago Blackhawks top prospect Anton Frondell has been outstanding this tournament with three goals and five points. Winnipeg Jets draft pick Alfons Freij has four assists so far this tournament.

St Louis Blues prospect Love Harenstam has played in all three games and likely gets the call in goal for this game. Harenstam has a 2.00 goals-against-average and .929 save percentage. The Americans will have to put some quality shots on net to solve him.

Prediction

Both teams are great on the offensive end and have plenty of highly touted prospects. We could see plenty of faces on the NHL ice in the next few seasons.

However, Sweden has more consistency on the defensive end. The old adage about defence winning championships usually rings true and it should in this case.

Prediction: Sweden wins 4-3.

Main photo by: David Reginek-Imagn Images