USA vs Sweden Preview & Prediction | 2026 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship | Group Stage

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This highly-anticipated top of the table clash in Group A should have the eyes of the hockey world upon it as USA face off against Sweden on New Year’s Eve.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – NHL Network / Canada – TSN/RDS

How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – NHL Network via subscriptions for fuboTV, DirectTV, SlingTV or ESPN+ / Canada – TSN streaming platforms

USA vs Sweden prediction

Chicago Blackhawks fans may be watching this one closely as AJ Spellacy’s USA takes on Anton Frondell’s Sweden. The latter has been excellent so far across the group stage and boasts two goals already for a Swedish side who boast three wins from three with a whopping 15 goals scored and just five conceded. 

USA are also defending a 100% record in Group A and whilst they have been pushed to the limit by both Switzerland and Slovakia in particular, the host nation have come through each challenge that they’ve faced so far. Picked at number seven by Boston Bruins in the most recent NHL draft, James Hagens is living up to his prodigious talent, scoring twice against Slovakia and Bruins fans will also be hugely excited at the performances of Will Zellers. Acquired via trade from Colorado Avalanche, Zellers boasts four goals and six points in three appearances here for USA.

This has all the makings of an absolute classic. The attacking players on show for both teams are mouth-watering and it would be no surprise if we see a contest similar to what went down between USA and Slovakia, which the former won by six goals to five. With that in mind, back three or more goals to be scored by both USA and Sweden.

USA vs Sweden tip: Both teams to score 3 or more goals