Yahoo Sports World Juniors: Playoff Scenarios As Canada-USA, Sweden-Czechia Battle For Top Seeds
Graphic by The Hockey News
The final day of the group stage has arrived at the world juniors. Every game has major implications on the final standings, determining the quarterfinal matchups.
Both groups have a tie at the top and a New Year's Eve game to break it.
The mayhem in Group A is incredible, and there are many potential outcomes. In Group B, things are a bit more solidified, but there will be a game to determine first place and another to see who finishes last in the group.
As a reminder, the top four teams from each group advance to the quarterfinal in this format, with the number indicating the seed and the letter representing the group of that squad in the preliminary round:
- 1A vs. 4B
- 1B vs. 4A
- 2A vs. 3B
- 2B vs. 3A
Let’s dive into each game and what it could mean for the world juniors seeding.
Group A
Canada vs. USA - 8 p.m. ET
Latvia vs. Finland - 2:30 p.m. ET
Group A is absolutely chaotic.
The final game of the round-robin could end up being the wildest, as Canada and the Americans could finish anywhere in the group from first to third. The only thing guaranteed is that the game's winner, regardless of whether it’s in regulation or overtime, will finish first in the group.
Since Canada lost to Latvia in a stunning upset, if Canada loses to the U.S. in regulation and Latvia beats Finland in any fashion, Canada will finish third behind the U.S. and Latvia. If Canada loses in overtime or a shootout, they will secure second place in the division.
Considering the U.S. lost to Finland in overtime, if the Americans lose to Canada in regulation or overtime and the Finns beat Latvia in regulation, the USA will finish behind Canada and Finland. If the Americans lose in overtime and the Finns win in overtime, the Americans will finish second, behind just Canada.
Related: World Juniors: BC Line Of Hagens, Leonard And Perreault Looking Historic For Team USA
As such, the game between Finland and Latvia will help determine who finishes second to fourth in the group.
Basically, the Canadians and Americans must win to secure the easiest quarterfinal matchup possible. The winner of this game will face the winner of the Switzerland-Kazakhstan game in Group B.
The winner of the Finland-Latvia game will have a more favorable quarterfinal matchup, giving them a better shot at advancing to the semifinal. The loser will have to face the winner of Group B, which will be either an undefeated Sweden or Czechia.
Related: 2025 World Junior Championship: Full Roster List
Group B
Sweden vs. Czechia - 5 p.m. ET
Switzerland vs. Kazakhstan - 12 p.m. ET
Group B is more straightforward. Slovakia has played the full slate of games and is at five points. They can’t catch Sweden or Czechia, but they also can’t be caught by the winner of the Switzerland-Kazakhstan game, as the winner of that match ends up a point or two behind Slovakia.
The matchup between Czechia and Sweden is a battle for first place. The winner will play the loser of the Latvia-Finland game in Group A. The loser could play almost anyone. Depending on who wins the Group A games, they could end up playing the winner of Finland-Latvia, or they could go head-to-head with Canada or the USA. Winning this game helps avoid that possibility.
Related: Tom Willander Embraces Canucks’ Swedish Connection At World Juniors
Switzerland and Kazakhstan, meanwhile, will face off in a "win and you're in" scenario. The winner clinches fourth in the group and a quarterfinal date with the winner of the Canada-USA game. The loser goes to the relegation round, where they will face Germany in a bid to stay in the World Junior Championship next year. Whoever loses the relegation round goes to the Div. I-A tournament next year.
Related: World Juniors 2025: The Hockey News Predictions
Check out The Hockey News' world juniors coverage here. Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum.
