Predicting the group stage
Predicting the group stage
Who will win between now and New Year's Eve?


Based on current lineups and historical trends, who do you think will come out on top at the Hartwall Arena and Helsinki Ice Hall?
Lucas Aykroyd has covered eight IIHF World Junior Championships, in addition to four Olympics and 16 IIHF World Championships. The following predictions are the sole responsibility of the writer and do not reflect any official views of the IIHF.
December 26
Russia 4, Czech Republic 2: 2015 silver medalists start slow but score third-period winner on PP
Sweden 5, Switzerland 2: Juniorkronorna earn seventh straight WJC victory against Swiss
Finland 7, Belarus 1: Big opening night for Puljujarvi and Laine versus newly promoted underdogs
United States 5, Canada 3: Matthews makes his mark with three points as U.S. outguns champs
December 27
Slovakia 3, Belarus 1: Slovaks generate tons of chances, outshoot Beliavski’s team by 2-to-1 margin
Switzerland 3, Denmark 2 (SO): Plucky Danes tie it up late, but fall one shot shy in shootout
December 28
Czech Republic 2, Slovakia 1: Czechs take hard-fought revenge for their 2015 quarter-final exit
Sweden 4, United States 3 (OT): In tourney’s best game so far, Nylander brothers team up on winner
Russia 5, Finland 2: Hosts look nervous, Russians capitalize thrice off neutral zone turnovers
Canada 8, Denmark 0: Strome and Marner run wild, along with captain Point, in this romp
December 29
Russia 5, Belarus 0: Russians grab early 2-0 lead and never look back, three assists for Provorov
Canada 6, Switzerland 2: Swiss stay close till halfway, Crouse and Virtanen drive offence on forecheck
December 30
Czech Republic 4, Belarus 1: Zacha scores two spectacular goals as Czechs dominate
Sweden 7, Denmark 2: Forsling shows 2015 all-star form with four points, Danes remain winless
Finland 5, Slovakia 2: Kapanen pots first-period pair in his best WJC outing ever
United States 4, Switzerland 1: Four different U.S. scorers as Swiss get hemmed in their own zone
December 31
Russia 3, Slovakia 2: Samsonov makes 30 saves, Svechnikov wins it on second-period penalty shot
United States 6, Denmark 1: DeBrincat and Dvorak pile up points as U.S. PP clicks four times
Finland 4, Czech Republic 0: Textbook Finnish hockey as Jalonen lays down the law
Canada 5, Sweden 4: Goalies fend for themselves, Sanheim breaks tie on centre point blast
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