World Junior Championship Predictions: Switzerland vs USA

Welcome to Last Word On Hockey’s editions of the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships predictions. Throughout the tournament our team will break down key matchups, storylines and stats, then make a prediction on how the game will play out. You can also check out our NHL editions. For this edition, we’ll take a look at the tournament opener for Switzerland as they battle the host United States.

World Junior Championship Predictions: Switzerland vs USA

Overall Head-to-Head: Switzerland 0- 25 United States; two ties

How to Watch:

US TV: NHL Network

Canada TV: TSN

Time: 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)

It’s Day two of the tournament and we have another round of World Junior Championship predictions. Today, Switzerland begins its tournament and hopes to take advantage of a United States squad that played Germany in its tournament-opener.

The Swiss are another program that’s been on the rise in the last decade. We’ve seen the progress of the senior team, which is second in the IIHF rankings. However, the junior program has struggled in recent tournaments.

Team USA is coming off a 6-3 victory over the Germans to begin the tournament. The Americans showed plenty of scoring pop in spurts with three goals in the first and second periods. However, the hosts will have to tighten some things up defensively.

Let’s take a look at the scores and stats in this latest edition of our World Junior Championship predictions.

The Switzerland Story

Switzerland made the quarterfinals in the 2025 edition but got a 7-2 shellacking from the eventual champions for its troubles. The Swiss want to avoid the one-game relegation playoff, but face a tall order against the hosts.

San Jose Sharks prospect Christian Kirsch went 1-3 in last year’s tournament is back on the roster. We could also see Anaheim Ducks pick Elijah Neuenschwander, who is a big body at 6-feet, 4-inches tall.

Switzerland has produced defensive talents like Roman Josi, who is a Norris Trophy winner. Washington Capitals draftee Leon Muggli played well in the AHL at Hershey but suffered a recent injury. Swiss fans are hoping the tournament mainstay is ready to go.

Switzerland is hoping its young forward group can mature quickly in this high-pressure event. Lars Steiner and Jamiro Reber are names to keep an eye on,

The USA Story

Team USA got off to a winning start with a 6-3 victory over Germany. The Americans showed they can score in a hurry but also need to tighten things up at the back end with tougher games against Sweden and Slovakia looming.

Colorado Avalanche selection Will Zellers tallied two goals and an assist for the hosts. Cole Hutson dished out two assists for the Americans in the victory.

Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Caleb Heil made 21 saves for the victory, but we could see Brady Knowling or Nicholas Kempf get the start in this game.

This game will be an important one and a chance for Team USA to work out some bugs before the opposition gets more difficult.

Prediction

Switzerland may be trying to find itself still but does have the benefit of an extra day of rest. However, taking on the Americans is getting thrown into the deep end of the pool.

Team USA got off to a good start but will need to improve things as the tournament goes along. The expectation is to get a third straight gold medal, and they will need to be better if they want to achieve that.

Prediction: Team USA wins 5-2.

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