It is time for the business end of the tournament. Here we are, Friday night, for the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Junior Championship predictions, as the last quarterfinal of the day will feature Team Canada taking on Team Slovakia. We hope you enjoyed our predictions at Last Word On Hockey so far throughout the tournament. So, as the playoffs begin, who do you like, the favourite Canadians or the pesky Slovaks?
2026 World Junior Championship Quarterfinals Predictions with Canada vs Slovakia
Time: 8:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), 5:30 Pacific
How to Watch: TSN, NHL Network
Location: 3M Arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Canada got through the group stage in first place in Group B. Despite not dropping a game, the games weren’t without their adversity. It took two high-scoring games for Canada to get past Czechia and Finland. In fact, three of Canada’s games saw ten-or-more goals combined, between the teams. The one that didn’t, was against Latvia, a 2-1 tightly-contested overtime game. On the other hand, Slovakia finished fourth in Group A, with only one win. Despite the lack of wins, they played hard games against both the USA and Sweden. They seem to have the speed and quick-strike ability to stay in games against the top competition. Canada will have to be on their toes for this one.
The Story for Slovakia So Far in the World Juniors
One of the big stories for Team Slovakia is a player tied for the tournament lead in points with eight. Tomas Chrenko is eligible for the upcoming 2026 NHL Entry Draft. In case you’re wondering who he is tied in points with, it is a trio of Canadians. Those players being Gavin McKenna, Michael Hage, and defenceman Zayne Parekh.
Another player who has been getting points for Slovakia, is the brother of NHLer Simon Nemec. Adam Nemec is tied for second on the team in scoring with five points. That bit of drop off in scoring productivity between Chrenko and the rest of the Slovaks, can’t be something Canada takes lightly. Slovakia has shown to be patient and to be able to attack with speed, like they did against teams like Sweden and USA.
One last player to mention, is who Nemec is tied in points with on the team. Defenceman Luka Radivojevic would be that guy. We know what you’re thinking, Radivojevic? Yes, son of Branko Radivojevic. The tree diagrams in hockey are always fascinating to explore. In any sense, these top guys know how to put the puck in the net. With Canada having shown a possible weakness in keeping the puck out of their net, you could see what it could all mean.
How About Canada, Eh?
How about Canada? Well, eh, Canada has the high-end talent to win this tournament. That starts tomorrow against Slovakia, one game at a time, one period, one shift. One of the big stars to talk about for Canada is their draft eligible forward that we previously referenced, McKenna.
For Gavin McKenna, he has shown to be every bit the potential first-overall prospect that Canadian hockey fans could possibly imagine. His game is very refined, and definitely seems to be benefiting from the older competition at college this year. Plus, the entire line, including Hage and Brady Martin has been, perhaps the best line in the tournament.
One X-Factor for Team Canada that we would like to call out, is another son of a former NHLer. Yes, you guessed it, Tig Iginla. When the game is on the line, you want it on his back, and him on the ice. Like his dad, Jarome Iginla, Tij has a knack for getting the job done, when it is all on the line.
The Goalies
Although the goalies may not be confirmed, we think we know who’s getting the call. For Canada, even with his less than appealing .844 save percentage, we think Carter George gets the call. No slight to Jack Ivankovic, who was lights out in his one outing, but George is the main man. He played against the top teams and did come out victorious, in the end. He has the attribute of being a gamer, something the Team Canada world knows all too well. Jordan Binnington being named to the Olympic roster comes to mind.
For the Slovak side, Michal Pradel appeared in three of their games, like George for the Canadians. His .894 save percentage is also not great, but did hold the USA and Switzerland games to just one-goal losses.
This is a good time for our disclaimer, to please check social media for the very latest lineup news.
Prediction
We might be able to give Canada a couple of advantages. The fact that they were one of the favourites to win the whole tournament is one reason. Why were they considered favourites? Because of the talent their collective group possesses, including six players with NHL experience already. Therefore, those are a couple reasons why we like Canada’s chances in this elimination game. But there could very well be another reason. That being special teams. Canada will still need to remember to be disciplined, much like they were in the Latvian game, for instance.
Slovakia does possess a nearly 30% success rate on the power play. Along with some of the talented individuals we mentioned, we know they have the skill to take advantage of the extra ice in power play situations. However, this is a spot Canada should have a leg up on its competitor. Canada’s power play is absolutely humming, at almost 54%. Yikes (if you’re Slovakia, and getting into any sort of penalty trouble). If Canada can use its size and speed to frustrate the Slovaks, it could be a long night for Slovakia. Canada also has a decided edge in penalty killing rates for what it’s worth (89% to 60%). Although, we would warn that numbers could be skewed from the small sample, and plus considering this is a single game elimination. So, maybe throw the stats out the window? (We didn’t say that).
In any sense, we like Canada to prevail. Even though it was from Slovakia’s former country-mate, in Team Czechia, Canada does want to avenge it’s previous two quarterfinal losses, in each of the last two World Juniors. We think Canada tightens up its game, but Slovakia is still able to keep within striking distance. However, in the end, Canada has too much size and skill, and emerges victorious.
Prediction: Canada 4 – Slovakia 2
Main Photo Credit: Lawrence Scott/Getty Images
Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions; some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.