The World Juniors just got a bit more interesting. With the announcement by the NHL and NHLPA that the league won’t be sending its players to the Olympics, that means Olympic teams across the board could be looking a lot younger, as was the case in 2018.
MORE: World Juniors status amid rising COVID-19 cases
Team USA in 2018 had four college players on it, including Jordan Greenway, the first Black member of Team USA to represent the country in hockey. Ultimately the Americans finished outside the medal round at the Olympics, but their luck at the World Juniors has been a bit better recently.
MORE: Full World Juniors tournament guide for 2022
They’re the reigning World Junior champions and have medaled in five of the last six tournaments. This year, Team USA’s roster for the World Juniors includes several first round picks over the last two years, including this year’s No. 2 pick by the Kraken in Matty Beniers out of Michigan.
Slovakia, meanwhile, hasn’t medaled since 2015, when they took home the bronze, their only medal since 2000. Headlining team Slovakia is captain Samuel Kňažko, who was a third-round pick by the Blue Jackets in 2020. The defenseman has been on the last three World Junior teams for Slovakia and has two points in 17 games in his WJC career.
MORE: Watch 2022 World Juniors games live in U.S. with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
What channel is USA vs. Slovakia on today?
- TV channel (U.S.): NHL Network
- TV channel (Canada): TSN
There’ll be familiar faces on the call for each Team USA game by the time the tournament ends. The tournament, which will be carried by NHL Network in the states, will feature Stephen Nelson as the play-by-play voice for every game and he’ll be accompanied by Dave Starman as the analyst while Jon Rosen serves as the reporter.
TSN will carry all of the games in Canada.
USA vs. Slovakia start time
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. PT
Puck drop will take place at 9:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 26 from Peavey Mart Centrium, in Red Deer, Alta. Red Deer is serving as one of the host sites for the tournament for the second year in a row.
How to live stream World Juniors hockey games
- Live stream (U.S.): NHL App | fuboTV (7-day free trial)
- Live stream (Canada): TSN.ca, TSN app
Fans who can’t watch on TV or don’t have cable can stream the tournament in the US on fuboTV (7-day free trial), on the NHL App or at NHL.tv.
In Canada, fans can stream the game on the TSN app or at TSN.ca.
USA vs. Slovakia odds
- USA: -900
- Slovakia: +1400
The United States is a heavy -900 betting favorite to beat Slovakia in their preliminary game, according to Sports Interaction.
LIVE ODDS TO WIN 2022 WORLD JUNIORS
World Juniors schedule 2022
Sunday, Dec. 26
| Matchup | Time | TV channel |
| Finland vs. Germany | 2 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| Russia vs. Sweden | 4:30 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| Czechia vs. Canada | 7 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| USA vs. Slovakia | 9:30 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
Monday, Dec. 27
| Matchup | Time | TV channel |
| Austria vs. Finland | 2 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| Russia vs. Switzerland | 4:30 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| Germany vs. Czechia | 7 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| Sweden vs. Slovakia | 9:30 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
Tuesday, Dec. 28
| Matchup | Time | TV channel |
| Switzerland vs. USA | 4:30 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| Austria vs. Canada | 7 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
Wednesday, Dec. 29
| Matchup | Time | TV channel |
| Finland vs. Czechia | 2 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| Slovakia vs. Russia | 4:30 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| Canada vs. Germany | 7 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| Sweden vs. USA | 9:30 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
Thursday, Dec. 30
| Matchup | Time | TV channel |
| Czechia vs. Austria | 4:30 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| Slovakia vs. Switzerland | 7 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
Friday, Dec. 31
| Matchup | Time | TV channel |
| Germany vs. Austria | 2 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| Switzerland vs. Sweden | 4:30 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| Canada vs. Finland | 7 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| USA vs. Russia | 9:30 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
Sunday, Jan. 2
| Matchup | Time | TV channel |
| Quarterfinal | 2:30 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| Quarterfinal | 5 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| Quarterfinal | 7:30 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| Quarterfinal | 10 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
Tuesday, Jan. 4
| Matchup | Time | TV channel |
| Semifinal | 3 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| Semifinal | 7 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
Wednesday, Jan. 5
| Matchup | Time | TV channel |
| Bronze medal game | 4 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |
| Gold medal game | 8 p.m. ET | TSN, NHLN |