The United States has already clinched a spot in the quarterfinals of the world junior hockey championship.
Now, it’s a matter of seeding.
The USA (2-0) will take on Slovakia (1-1) on Monday, Dec. 29 (6 p.m. ET, NHL Network) in its third preliminary round game of the tournament for the world’s best under-20 players. The Americans wrap up the round robin with a game against Sweden (3-0 after Monday’s rout of Germany) on New Year’s Eve.
Team USA beat Germany 6-3 in the opener then got by Switzerland 2-1, a game in which No. 1 defenseman Cole Hutson was taken off the ice on a stretcher after being hit in the head by a shot. He was taken to the hospital for evaluation and released. Hutson is day-to-day and won’t play on Monday.
Here’s everything to know about today’s USA vs. Slovakia game, including how to watch:
What channel is USA vs. Slovakia world juniors hockey game today?
TV channel: NHL Network
Livestream: Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers, or Sling TV.
Follow world junior championships on Fubo
What time is USA vs. Slovakia world juniors hockey game today?
Date: Monday, Dec. 29
Time: 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time)
The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time) at the Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the home of the Minnesota Wild.
World juniors USA vs Slovakia: How to watch, stream
Time: 6 p.m. ET on Monday, Dec. 29
Location: Grand Casino Arena (Saint Paul, Minnesota)
TV: NHL Network
Streaming: Fubo and certain levels of Sling TV carry NHL Network.
Today’s world juniors hockey schedule
All times p.m. ET
Monday, Dec. 29
Sweden 8, Germany 1:. Blackhawks prospect Anton Frondell, Flyers prospect Jack Berglund and draft-eligible Viggo Bjorck each scored twice as Sweden improved to 3-0. Germany’s Elias Pul tied the game in the first period on a 2-on-0 break but Sweden pulled away with four goals in the second period.
Finland vs. Czechia, 3:30 p.m.
Slovakia vs. USA, 6 p.m.
Canada vs. Denmark, 8:30 p.m.
Cole Hutson injury update
Team USA No. 1 defenseman Cole Hutson will sit out Monday’s game against Slovakia. He remains day-to-day after being hit in the head by a shot on Saturday and leaving the ice on a stretcher.
USA players to watch
Will Zellers leads the USA with three goals and four points. He has the winning goal in both of the USA’s first two games. Defenseman Adam Kleber has a plus-minus rating of +5, which ties him with Hutson.
Slovakia players to watch
Tomas Chrenko had a hat trick against Germany. Adam Nemec, whose older brother Simon plays for the New Jersey Devils, has two assists in the tournament.
World juniors 2026 predictions
Who will win gold, silver and bronze at this year’s tournament? Who will take home the individual awards? Here are predictions from The Hockey News staff.