How to Watch Slovakia vs. Sweden: Stream 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship Live, TV Channel

Perennial medal contender Sweden opens Group B play against Slovakia at TD Place in Ottawa on Thursday.

The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship opens in Ottawa on Thursday, with the opening game a matchup in Group B between Slovakia and Sweden at TD Place. Both teams reached the medal round last year, with host Sweden taking the silver medal and Slovakia losing in the quarterfinals. The Swedes have won the tournament twice, taking gold in 1981 and 2012, while the Slovaks’ best finishes were bronze medals in 1999 and 2015. Tomas Montén has coached Sweden’s national junior team since 2016, while Ivan Feneš has led Slovakia’s national team since 2022.

How to Watch Slovakia vs. Sweden in 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship Today:

Game Date: Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024

Game Time: 12 p.m. ET

TV: NHL Network

Live stream the Slovakia vs. Sweden Group B game from the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship on Fubo: Start your free trial today!

Slovakia returns several players from last year’s tournament, led by Dalibor Dvorsky, a St. Louis Blues prospect. Dvorsky had three goals and six points last year and has 11 goals and 21 points for the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds this season. Defensemen Maxim Strbak (Buffalo Sabres) and 2025 draft eligible Luka Radivojevic are expected to play key roles and undrafted goalie Samuel Urban will backstop the squad.

Sweden is one of the favorites in Group B and returns its top defensive pair in Axel Sandin-Pellikka (Detroit Red Wings) and Theo Lindstein (Blues). Up front, Otto Stenberg (Blues), David Edstrom (Nashville Predators) and Felix Unger Sorum (Carolina Hurricanes) look to lead the attack. Stenberg had five goals and nine points in the run to the gold medal game a year ago.

Group play runs through Tuesday, with the knockout round opening on Jan. 2 and continuing through Jan. 5.

Regional restrictions may apply.