On Tap for Day 1
All games on NHL Network in U.S., TSN and RDS in Canada
Finland vs. Switzerland (11 a.m. ET) --
Joakim Kemell
(Nashville Predators), who helped Finland reach the gold medal game at the 2022 WJC in August with 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in seven games, is one of seven returning players. Also back is forward
Brad Lambert
(Winnipeg Jets), who scored one goal in five games and was scratched for the final two but has game-breaking skill and has done well playing with Manitoba in the American Hockey League this season. Jani Lampinen (2023 draft eligible), who was the third goalie in August, also returns but it could be
Niklas Kokko
(Seattle Kraken) who starts the tournament as Finland's No. 1 goalie. Attilio Biasca (2023 draft eligible) led Switzerland with six points (four goals, two assists) in August and is back alongside an experienced defense, with six returnees, including
Brian Zanetti
(Philadelphia Flyers), who has two seasons of experience playing in North America, with Peterborough of the Ontario Hockey League.
Sweden vs. Austria (1:30 p.m. ET) -- The goal is to score goals for Sweden, something the bronze-medal winning team struggled to do at the 2022 WJC. Despite enviable offensive ability, Sweden scored 20 goals in seven games (2.86 per game), and five in three games in the medal round. Sweden has six first-round NHL draft picks among its forwards, including
Isak Rosen
(Buffalo Sabres), who tied for the team lead with four goals in August. But they'll need big contributions from
Filip Bystedt
(San Jose Sharks),
Jonathan Lekkerimaki
(Vancouver Canucks),
Fabian Lysell
(Boston Bruins),
Liam Ohgren
(Minnesota Wild) and
Noah Ostlund
(Buffalo Sabres). Leo Carlsson, a projected top-five pick in the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft, will likely play a top-six role for Sweden as well. Jonas Dobnig (2023 draft eligible) and Ian Scherzer (2023 draft eligible) return after scoring two of Austria's four goals in August. Defenseman David Reinbacher, who had two assists in August, is a B-rated prospect in NHL Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list presented by BioSteel.
Latvia vs. United States (4 p.m. ET) --Latvia has 15 players back from its surprising trip to the quarterfinals in August, including forward
Sandis Vilmanis
(Florida Panthers), who has 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 29 games with Sarnia of the OHL. The United States will be looking to improve from its disappointing 4-2 loss to Czechia in the quarterfinals. The defense, led by
Luke Hughes
(New Jersey Devils), is skilled and mobile, and the top line of
Cutter Gauthier
(Philadelphia Flyers),
Logan Cooley
(Arizona Coyotes) and
Jimmy Snuggerud
(St. Louis Blues) could be one of the most dynamic in the tournament. Also keep an eye on forward Charlie Stramel, a top 2023 draft prospect who likely will start in a bottom-six role but could work his way up the lineup.
Czechia vs. Canada (6:30 p.m. ET) -- Czechia came up just short of winning its first WJC medal in August when it lost 3-1 to Sweden in the bronze medal game.
Jiri Kulich
(Buffalo Sabres) is the top returning scorer after he had seven points (two goals, five assists) in seven games. Czechia's strength could be its defense, led by
David Jiricek
(Columbus Blue Jackets),
Stanislav Svozil
(Columbus Blue Jackets) and
David Spacek
(Minnesota Wild), all of whom played in the 2022 WJC. They'll face a fierce challenge from Canada, the defending champion. Forward Connor Bedard, the projected top pick of the 2023 draft, is back after he had eight points (four goals, four assists) in seven games in August and has looked strong in pre-tournament games with five points (two goals, three assists) in wins against Switzerland and Finland. A top line of Bedard,
Shane Wright
(Seattle Kraken) and
Brennan Othmann
(New York Rangers) could be dominant, and the second line of Adam Fantilli (2023 draft eligible),
Logan Stankoven
(Dallas Stars) and
Dylan Guenther
(Arizona Coyotes) could be just as productive.
Benjamin Gaudreau
(San Jose Sharks) is expected to start in goal.
