Welcome to Last Word On Hockey’s editions of the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship 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, Team Slovakia taking on Team Sweden.
World Junior Championship Predictions Slovakia vs Sweden
Overall Head-to-Head: Slovakia 0 – 4 Sweden
How to Watch: US TV: NHL Network Canada: TSN
Time: 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Location: Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota
The 50th edition of the World Juniors begins with a matchup between Slovakia and Sweden. Herman Liv appears to be the starter in net for Team Sweden. Liv currently has a 7-6-0 record with Almtuna IS in HockeyAllsvenskan, the second division in Sweden. So far in 2025-26, he has posted a save percentage of .911 and a goals-against average of 2.45. On the other side of the sheet, returning Slovak goaltender Michal Pradel is the likely starter. The Detroit Red Wings 2025 third-round pick is currently with the USHL’s Tri-City Storm. With the Storm in 2025-26, he has a 9-9-3 record, with a .916 save percentage and a 2.46 goals-against average. We give Sweden the advantage in this one between the pipes.
The Team Sweden Perspective
All eyes will be on Swedish underaged phenom Ivar Stenberg. He is a player that is expected to go in the top three of the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. He will be right there, battling it out with Gavin McKenna, or so it seems. The 18 year old is currently playing at the highest pro level in Sweden with Frolunda HC, amassing 24 points in 25 games. That kind of scoring pace, is something that league hasn’t seen since Peter Forsberg and Markus Naslund in 1992. The World Juniors is a massive platform and could be a coming out party for the youngster to the world stage. Needless to say, the world will be taking notice. Well, the hockey world anyway.
The Take from the Slovakian Side
Slovakia comes into this year’s tournament with modest expectations. However, they do boost a decent roster overall. Among returnees for Slovakia will be defenceman Luka Radivojevic, forwards Jan Chovan, Tomas Pobezal, and goaltenders Alan Lendak and Michal Pradel. On the other side Sweden boasts 17 NHL draft picks, including first rounders Anton Frondell and Victor Eklund. So for Slovakia, this tournament will be an uphill climb, but they should be able to stay in games.
The Final Prediction
It will be interesting to see how the Slovaks defend a powerful and fast Swedish forward group. Ultimately however, the offensive firepower outmatches and Sweden will win this one. Sweden does have a strong team in this year’s tourney. Despite this game, it will be interesting if Slovakia can put it in their rearview, and refocus for the duration of the tournament. But again, it likely won’t help them today, in the tournament opener.
Prediction: Slovakia 1-4 Sweden
Main Photo Credit: Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
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