World Junior Hockey 2016 schedule: USA ready for Sweden, Canada to face Denmark

Coming off of a light two-game Sunday, the World Juniors are back with a full schedule of four games during the day on Monday to keep away the post-holiday blues. For most fans in the continental United States, Team USA’s game against the injured Swedes will be the top highlight coming in the second-earliest time slot of the day. The three other games also hold some intrigue, though the United States will be fighting for a potential top spot in Group A as both Sweden and the U.S. are tied atop the group with three points.

Winless Czech Republic will start the day off against Slovakia, who has a quick turnaround time after beating Belarus on Sunday, 4-2. The Czech Republic can get a jump on Slovakia thanks to the back-to-back, as two games in under 24 hours will probably take a toll on the young players. Following the U.S. game against Sweden, Finland and Russia will take the ice for a Group B contest, with the Russians one point behind the Finns in the standings with their overtime win over the Czechs Saturday.

Finishing the day off is Canada and Denmark, with the Canadians looking to forget their two-goal showing against the United States two days prior. Denmark is also tied with Team USA and Sweden at the top of Group A, so a win for them could keep the pressure on the United States while Canada will try to climb their way back into the top of the pool in an effort to keep from going winless to start the tournament.