The 2023 World Juniors kick off today in Halifax and Moncton. The contest of the day is a matchup between the United States and Latvia.
This summer, the rescheduled 2022 World Juniors did not go as planned for the USA. The Americans dominated their group in the preliminary round, winning all four of their group play games. However, in the quarterfinals of the knockout stage, Czechia handed the USA a surprise upset loss to knock out the 2021 champions.
Returning from the 2022 team are Devils prospect Luke Hughes and Coyotes draft pick, Logan Cooley. The two were key members of the team this past summer, each averaging over a point per game for the United States. Hughes is wearing the "C" for the United States.
MORE: Watch the 2023 World Juniors live with fuboTV (free trial, U.S. only)
Cutter Gauthier, Jimmy Snuggerud and Lane Hutson are three newcomers who are expected to have big roles for the Americans. Gauthier and Snuggerud played on a dominant line with Cooley when the three were with the U.S. U18 team. Hutson has been sensational in the NCAA this season and should be a driver of offense from the back end.
Their first test is a Latvian team that no longer can be viewed as a major underdog. Latvia took Russia's spot at the tournament after the IIHF banned Russia and Belarus indefinitely from all international competitions. It was their first time playing at the top tournament since 2017 and not much was expected from them.
Well, major noise was made by the team, as Latvia earned its first-ever win in the preliminary round in tournament history, upsetting Czechia in their final group game. It also marked the first time Latvia advanced to the knockout stage, where they fell to Sweden.
It is the fourth time the United States is playing Latvia at the World Juniors. The USA has won all three previous contests by a combined total of 30-4.
MORE: Every NHL draft pick at the 2023 World Juniors
The Sporting News has a complete guide to how to watch the USA vs. Latvia in the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, including the start time and TV channels for viewers in the United States and Canada.
USA vs. Latvia start time
- Start time: 4 p.m. ET (5 p.m. AST)
The puck will drop at 4 p.m. ET from the Avenir Centre in Moncton, N.B., home of the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats.
It is the first game of the tournament for both the USA and Latvia and the third game of the opening day of the World Juniors.
MORE: Team USA 2023 World Juniors roster, results
What channel is USA vs. Latvia on today?
- United States: NHL Network
- Canada: TSN 1
TSN has all the World Juniors action in Canada, while in the United States, viewers can find the games on NHL Network.
Stephen Nelson will provide play-by-play coverage for NHL Network. He will be joined by analyst Dave Starman and reporter Jon Rosen on the broadcasts.
Dennis Beyak and Craig Button will be on the call for the USA games for TSN. Laura Diakun and Dave Reid will be in the studio.
How to live stream World Juniors hockey games
- United States: fuboTV (7-day free trial)
- Canada: TSN.ca, TSN app
U.S. fans can stream the tournament on fuboTV (which comes with a free trial), NHL.tv or the NHL app.
Fans in Canada can stream all World Juniors games on TSN.ca or the TSN app.
USA vs. Latvia odds
- USA: -5.5 (-119)
- Latvia: +5.5 (-116)
- O/U: 7.5
The USA opened as massive favorites over Latvia, with the puckline sitting at 5.5 in favor of the Americans, according to Sports Interaction.
USA World Juniors schedule 2023
(All times Eastern)
| Date | Opponent | Result | Time (ET) | TV Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 26 | Latvia | — | 4 p.m. | TSN, NHLN |
| Dec. 28 | Slovakia | — | 4 p.m. | TSN, NHLN |
| Dec. 29 | Switzerland | — | 4 p.m. | TSN, NHLN |
| Dec. 31 | Finland | — | 4 p.m. | TSN, NHLN |
| Jan. 2 | TBD (Quarterfinals) | — | TBD | TSN, NHLN |
| Jan. 4 | TBD (Semifinals) | — | TBD | TSN, NHLN |
| Jan. 5 | TBD (Gold-Medal Game) | — | TBD | TSN, NHLN |
