Manor World Juniors: Pair of Winner-Take-All Games on NYE for LA Kings Prospects

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There are few things better than rivalries in sports. And finally, one of hockey’s most beloved traditions is about to return after a nearly 10-year absence. Canada vs. USA on New Year’s Eve formally felt like it was nearly automatic at the World Juniors. Then, it just seemed to disappear because of seeding. Tonight, it’s back.

Perhaps the only thing better — from an LA Kings perspective — would be if goaltender Hampton Slukynsky was playing for Team USA. Although that doesn’t appear to be the plan, it merely removes an extra cherry off this multi-scoop sundae. There is still plenty of shine and importance on what will serve as the final round game of this year’s WJC before playoff games begin in 48 hours.

Ending 2024’s on-ice action will be a pair of games featuring Kings prospects with major implications on what happens next at the WJC. Teams winning these games will determine who finishes first in both Groups A and B. Tournament organizers couldn’t have drawn it up any better.

Serving as a co-main event to Canada and the U.S. will be Sweden and Czechia. The latter features 19-year-old defenseman Jakub Dvorak, originally selected by the Kings at the 2023 NHL Draft. He’s been with AHL Ontario this season, playing in 14 games and registering three assists. Known more as a defensive oriented player than for his offensive prowess, the big (6-foot-4) left-shot rearguard scored a goal in his club’s last games and holds a plus-6 mark through three games played thus far.

Czechia is rather quietly having a solid tournament and are a team capable of beating just about any other country at the WJC, as noted in previous articles. They’re also coming off a bronze medal last season, which followed them beating Canada in the quarterfinals. Thus, Sweden won’t take them lightly today.

The winner of Czechia-Sweden will win Group B outright and most likely play Latvia or Finland in one of Thursday’s playoff games. By the time puck drop takes place at 2pm Pacific the playoff scenarios will be a little clearer because today’s Finland-Latvia game will be over.

Now on to the main event.

This will be the 12th Canada-USA matchup to take place on New Year’s Eve, and nearly every previous version was almost an instant classic. Although the Americans had only two wins in those 11 games, they came out ahead when the two countries last met (2016). They also went on to beat Canada again a few days later for the gold medal in one of the tournament’s best finals of all-time.

Obviously, none of this year’s players were involved in the aforementioned tilt, as those rosters have long since graduated. Regardless of who is playing, or where, Canada-USA has become must-see hockey over the past few decades — perhaps ever since the 1996 World Cup, when Team USA had their big coming out party.

Leading the way for Canada this year will be goaltender Carter George. In December’s Prospect Report over on LAKings.com, some of the 18-year-old’s skills and abilities were analyzed. Scouts often refer to him having an ‘it factor’ when discussing why the Kings selected him with their second selection at the Draft last summer. Since then, he’s only added to his growing legacy.

In his 12 international starts for Canada — coming at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky, 2024 U18 Worlds, and now the 2025 World Juniors — George is an astonishing 12-0. He also holds back-to-back shutouts in his two starts at this year’s tournament.

The winner of Canada-USA will earn the top seed in Group A and meet Switzerland when the quarterfinals begin on Thursday. Today’s losing team will either finish second or third in Group A and their playoff opponent offers a myriad of options as of this writing. Again, more will be known by puck drop because all other games will have concluded. Of note, though, is the fact that there is a possibility USA and Czechia could end up as opponents (if the latter first loses to Sweden). From a Kings perspective, that wouldn’t be ideal in such an early playoff game.

More on that in our WJC playoff preview once the quarterfinal matchups are determined.

Tonight’s games will be huge! Both can be viewed on NHL Network.

Playoff Schedule​


Thursday, Jan. 2
Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD – 9:00 am
Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD – 11:30 am
Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD – 2:00 pm
Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD – 4:30 pm

Saturday, Jan. 4
Semifinal: TBD vs. TBD – 12:30 pm
Semifinal: TBD vs. TBD – 4:30 pm

Sunday, Jan. 5
Bronze medal: TBD vs. TBD – 12:30 pm
Gold medal: TBD vs. TBD – 4:30 pm

MORE LA KINGS NEWS:

December 2024 – Kings Prospect Report on LAKings.com

Follow @mayorNHL



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