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2025 IIHF World Junior Championship

Canada Vs USA New Year's Eve World Juniors Rivalry Game Preview

Canada Vs USA New Year's Eve World Juniors Rivalry Game Preview

Canada and the United States will meet for the 12th time on New Year's Eve at the World Junior Championship. Chris Peters breaks down what to watch.

Dec 30, 2024 by Chris Peters
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OTTAWA – For the last 20 years at the World Junior Championship, few series have provided more classics than USA vs. Canada. Despite this tournament dating back 49 years, the U.S. has only been competitive for the last half of that, but that competitiveness has provided iconic moments for both countries.

Canada holds a 31-3-3-9-3 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T) record all-time in the series, but that number has shifted in more recent history. In the last 10 years, USA has a winning record with four regulation wins, two overtime wins and four regulation losses.

You can’t have a rivalry if it’s one-sided and that just is no longer the case. These games get intense, they get physical and they often provide drama.

The two teams last met at the 2023 World Juniors, where Canada overwhelmed the U.S. on home ice in a 6-2 win. USA went on to win the bronze the next day, while Canada beat Czechia in overtime for the gold.

What is particularly fun about Tuesday night’s game is it is the return of a New Year’s Eve tradition.

Canada and USA have met 11 times on NYE, but the game has been absent from the schedule since 2016. They also haven’t been preliminary-round foes since 2019. Prehaps USA was enjoying their quieter New Year’s Eve games in recent years because In the 11 all-time meetings on NYE between the North American rivals, USA has just two wins. They did win that last matchup in 2016, then beat Canada again the following week in the gold-medal game that was one of the best we’ve ever seen in this tournament.

What’s interesting about this year’s New Year’s Eve game is that both teams are coming into it after stumbling.

Canada was upset by Latvia in a stunning shootout that saw all eight Canadian shooters fail to score. Meanwhile, USA struggled mightily against Finland before ultimately dropping a 4-3 loss in overtime. 

The questions surrounding both Team USA and Canada have been growing louder as Canada even seemed to struggle to find their offense against Germany. Meanwhile, USA earned two easy victories to start the tournament despite looking sloppy and not getting burned for it until they saw Finland.

But this is a big game. First place in the group is on the line. A win of any kind puts either USA or Canada at the top of the group. A regulation loss puts either at risk of falling as far as third place in the group and likely having to face Czechia or Sweden in the quarterfinals.

There is a ton to play for beyond wanting to beat your rivals.

Here’s what you need to know about the New Year’s Eve Matchup.

Canada’s Defense Has Been Stifling

Canada has not yet allowed an even-strength goal against. They have allowed two power play goals and a shootout winner to Latvia, but otherwise haven’t conceded anything. Part of that has been the play of their defense, which has less of an offensive dynamic and more of a defensive-mindset.

Goalie Carter George (LAK) has never lost a game in his international hockey career and has yet to allow any goals in this tournament as his shutout streak is now at 120 minutes.

He told the media assembled after the 3-0 win over Germany that he wasn’t sure he’d ever had back-to-back shutouts ever in his life before.

George has been dialed in and both he and the defense has had to be because…

Canada’s Inability To Score Is A Concern

Canada has nine total goals in the tournament, including five combined against Latvia and Germany, the two weakest teams in their pool. Two of those nine goals are empty-netters. Two are on the power play, one was shorthanded. 

The inability to score at even strength has become a real concern for them in this tournament. There are too many quality offensive weapons on this roster to not be putting more pressure on teams.

I wrote after the Germany game that I felt this team still lacks identity. We haven’t seen their full potential and there’s certainly more to unlock. The question is if they’re going to be put in a position to unlock it.

Canada has had to jumble its lines, change up its power play and make a lot of different decisions to try to squeeze a bit more out of this offensive attack. They don’t want to get into a track meet with the USA because they haven’t yet shown that’s a style of game they can win.

USA’s Unexpected Goaltending Concerns

Trey Augustine (DET) is playing in his third World Junior championship. He’s been one of the best goalies in the NCAA this season and had not allowed more than three goals in a game yet this year… until he got to the World Juniors.

In his two starts, Augustine has allowed four goals in each and is now 1-0-1 in the event. It’s not that he’s allowing goals, it’s some of the goals he has allowed. He’s had two shots go in and out of his glove, and a few more beat him under the arm. Teams are trying to pick at that glove side and Augustine is having a hard time making the stop.

The overall body of work suggests that when he’s dialed in, he’s as good as there is. On paper, he was the best-looking goalie in this tournament. He’s got to find a way to get that mojo back.

USA has not revealed its starter, but I would be surprised if it wasn’t Augustine. They need to get him back on track and the only way to do that is to play him. Otherwise he’d have three days off following two shaky starts and I don’t know if you’d want to put him in the quarterfinal in that scenario.

Hampton Slukynsky (LAK) had a great start against Latvia, but it wasn’t a game that was ever really in doubt. It was a good look at him and shows he can handle the level, but playing against Canada in Canada is a different dynamic. Augustine has done that before, when he was 17 at his first WJC. He’s older, better and more prepared for that now.

I don’t think there’s a goalie controversy, but there is concern where there wasn’t before.

USA Has Experience Advantage, But Need More From Veterans

Canada’s roster is light on returnees to this tournament, where USA’s is heavy on them. Team USA has 10 returnees, with nine of them playing a regular role on this team. We still haven’t seen the best from any of those returning players yet, though.

Ryan Leonard (WSH) has MVP potential, but only has three points so far in the event despite taking 19 shots on goal. Zeev Buium (MIN) was my pre-tournament pick for top defenseman and he’s had  just one goal despite averaging 25 minutes a game. Gabe Perreault (NYR) has four points, but hit some posts against Latvia in big spots. And we’ve already covered Augustine.

What has been impressive for Team USA is how players like James Hagens (2025) and Cole Hutson (WSH) have stepped up in terms of providing production. Both players are tied for the team lead with six points. They’re going to get everything Canada can throw at them Tuesday, so they better be ready for their toughest game yet.

Key Matchups To Watch On New Year's Eve

A Suspsect Offense Against A Shaky Defense

Canada defenseman Oliver Bonk (PHI) told the media to ask the forwards why they aren’t scoring more at five-on-five and even though we did, there weren’t a lot of answers. There’s been a lot of talk about not getting the bounces, but I think there’s a lot more to it than that.

Meanwhile, USA has showed a number of instances where their defense hasn’t been able to make the stops they’ve needed. There’s also been a lot of mistakes made from the back end in trying to get pucks up.

Similar to Canada, USA’s light on dynamic defensemen. There’s just Buium and Hutson, mainly. Beyond that, they don’t have a ton of great puck-movers.

Both Latvia and Germany stayed disciplined and limited mistakes against Canada. Team USA has to do the same if they have any hope of keeping Canada’s offense tamped down.

USA’s Snipers Vs. Carter George

Hagens, Leonard, Perreault, Cole Eiserman (NYI), Trevor Connelly (VGK) and even defenseman Cole Hutson have shown that they can put pucks in the net. George has not faced a lot of shooters in this tournament like the ones that USA can throw at him.

The offensive attack is going to put pressure on the Canadian netminder, but if he stays as dialed in as he’s been, getting in front of everything, he might keep his incredible streak going.

USA is also going to have to do a better job of getting bodies in front. George is not a big goalie, so if the U.S. can take his eyes away and get some second-chance looks on him, they'll have a better chance of beating a goalie who has never lost in a Team Canada jersey.

Dave Cameron vs. David Carle

The coaching battle is an interesting one in this. Cameron has faced criticism for not making adjustments and putting players in their natural positions and that not working. Meanwhile, Carle is the reigning gold medal coach who is still trying to get a lot more out of his best players in this event.

Adjustments are key at the World Juniors. Failure to make them in time can be challenging. USA has got to clean up puck management and Carle has continued preaching that. Cameron needs to get more out of his forwards.

Cameron has put a positive face on what’s been happening with Canada in this tournament saying they’re not getting the bounces.

This is a game where emotions run hot, the environment changes the dynamic and it can impact the guys behind the bench, too. Whoever can control that and set the tone for their team will have an advantage in the game.

Canada Players To Watch On New Year's Eve

Gavin McKenna, LW (2026)

McKenna has just one goal so far in the tournament and hasn’t been given a ton of run up the lineup, but I think he can be such a factor in this tournament if given the chance. His speed will challenge USA’s defense and he can really find his teammates well. It’s a lot to put on a young guy, but he’s delivered in big moments before.

Sam Dickinson, D (SJS)

Dickinson is coming off of his best game at the WJC, getting more minutes, playing on the power play and looking more like himself. He hadn’t yet in this tournament and that’s why I think he could be an important player in this particular game. Dickinson has size, good skating ability and he can make plays. If Canada’s forwards aren’t scoring, they need the D to really get involved.

Easton Cowan, LW (TOR)

Cowan has had good and bad moments in the tournament, but one thing is for sure. He has been around the puck a lot and he can make some plays. I would like him to get to the inside more and make some solid plays and maybe some better reads, but his energetic game plays well in this game. He could be a nightmare for USA’s defense if he gets going on the forecheck.

USA Players To Watch On New Year's Eve

James Hagens, C (2025)

Hagens has been one of the more calming presences on Team USA’s roster. He’s made a ton of plays, has the puck a lot and is a reliable source of offense. Even though he was held off the score sheet against Finland, he was impactful in the game. I think he’s shown very well at this event and has proven why he still belongs in the No. 1 conversation. The game looks like it’s slowed down for him with the reads and decisions he’s making.

Ryan Leonard, RW (WSH)

This is the kind of game Leonard loves to play. He is a born villain, who gets under opponents’ skin and backs it up with physical, skilled play. He will need to keep his emotions in check and lead by example, but if he is putting pressure on the Canadian defense and playing physical, he’s going to make his presence known.

Zeev Buium, D (MIN)

My expectation is Buium will play close to 30 minutes in this game. USA wants to win and they want their big guys to have a big part in it. Buium played 28 minutes against Finland including half the third period when USA needed a goal. He hasn’t had his best game yet at this tournament, but when he’s on, he is a force at both ends of the ice. If he can get involved offensively, USA’s chances improve dramatically.

How To Watch Team USA Vs. Canada At World Juniors 2025

Team USA vs. Team Canada will broadcast on Dec. 31 at 8:00 p.m. ET on NHL Network in the United States. The game will be broadcast on TSN and CTV in Canada, as well as RDS for the French broadcast.

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