Survive and advance is the name of the game for the remainder of the 2024 World Juniors.
The field has been cut down from 10 teams to just two, as the gold medal game is set for Friday.
The semifinals did not disappoint. Sweden emerged victorious in its matchup against Czechia, pulling away in the third period for a 5-2 win. The Swedes haven't won gold at the World Juniors in over a decade, and have a chance to lift a championship on home turf.
In the other semifinal contest, Cutter Gauthier lifted the United States to a 3-2 win over Finland. After falling behind 2-0 in the first period, the Americans rallied to punch their ticket to their first gold medal game at the World Juniors since 2021.
The Sporting News has everything fans need to know about the 2024 World Juniors.
2024 World Juniors bracket
Here is how the medal round is shaping up at the 2024 World Juniors:
Gold Medal Game
— Sweden vs. USA
Bronze Medal Game
— Czechia vs. Finland
Semifinals
— Sweden vs. Czechia
— USA vs. Finland
Quarterfinals
— 1A Sweden vs. 4B Switzerland
— 1B USA vs. 4A Latvia
— 2A Canada vs. 3B Czechia
2024 World Juniors knockout stage schedule, results
Tuesday, Jan. 2
| Matchup | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Finland 4, Slovakia 3 (OT) - Quarterfinal | FINAL |
| Czechia 3, Canada 2 - Quarterfinal | FINAL |
| USA 7, Latvia 2 - Quarterfinal | FINAL |
| Sweden 3, Switzerland 2 (OT) - Quarterfinal | FINAL |
Thursday, Jan. 4
| Matchup | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Germany 5, Norway 4 (OT) - Relegation Game | FINAL |
| Sweden 5, Czechia 2 - Semifinal | FINAL |
| USA 3, Finland 2 - Semifinal | FINAL |
Friday, Jan. 5
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| Czechia 8, Finland 5 - Bronze Medal Game | FINAL | TSN/NHL Network |
| Sweden vs. USA - Gold Medal Game | 1:30 p.m. | TSN/NHL Network |
2024 World Juniors odds
Heading into the knockout stage, the United States remain as the favorite to win the World Juniors, according to the oddsmakers. The Americans were the pre-tournament favorite and the only team not to lose in group play.
Here is a look at the odds to win the 2024 World Juniors for the eight teams remaining, courtesy of Sports Interaction:
| Team | Odds |
| USA | +160 |
| Sweden | +250 |
| Canada | +300 |
| Finland | +1000 |
| Czechia | +1800 |
| Slovakia | +2500 |
| Switzerland | +10000 |
| Latvia | +30000 |
2024 World Juniors standings
Group A
| Team | Games | Wins | OT Wins | OT Losses | Losses | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden* | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Canada* | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Finland* | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| Latvia* | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Germany** | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Group B
| Team | Games | Wins | OT Wins | OT Losses | Losses | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA* | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Slovakia* | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Czechia* | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Switzerland* | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Norway** | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
* = advances to knockout stage
** = plays in relegation game
The top four teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals, where the matchups are determined by seeding. They will cross over between groups for these games: 1A vs. 4B, 1B vs. 4A, 2A vs. 3B and 2B vs. 3A. The teams that advance to the semifinals will be reseeded.
MORE: Top 10 NHL prospects to know at the 2024 World Juniors
The winners of the semifinals will face off in the gold medal game. The losers will play for bronze.
How to watch 2024 World Juniors games on TV, live stream
- TV channel (Canada): TSN
- Live stream (Canada): TSN.ca, TSN app
- TV channel (U.S.): NHL Network
- Live stream (U.S.): Fubo
TSN and the NHL Network will once again be home to all of the action for the 2024 World Juniors.
Canadian viewers can watch the competition on TSN or can stream the games through TSN.ca or on the TSN app.
The American audience can view the games live on TV on the NHL Network, or can stream them through Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Where is the 2024 World Juniors?
- Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
- Venue: Scandinavium/Frolundaborg
This year's World Juniors is being played outside North America for the first time since before COVID. Gothenburg, Sweden is the host site for the 2024 tournament.
The games in Gothenburg will be split between Scandinavium and Frolundaborg, two arenas in the city. Group A will play at Scandanavium, while Group B will be at Frolundaborg. The quarterfinals will be split between the two sites before Scandinavium hosts the semifinals and medal matches.
Gothenburg was supposed to host the 2022 World Juniors, however, the IIHF moved the site to Halifax, N.S. and Moncton, N.B. instead due to COVID. This is the first time Gothenburg will host the U20 competition, and seventh time the tournament is being held in Sweden.
