Welcome to our 2023 World Junior Championship predictions. We’ll take an in-depth look at each game taking place in the Canadian Maritimes. These looks will happen for each game until the gold-medal game. We’ll try to give you the information you need to get an edge. We take a look at the Group A matchup between Team Germany and Sweden. Be sure to check out the other games for today.
2023 World Junior Championship Predictions
Sweden Vs Germany
Although this is Germany’s opening game of the tournament, Sweden has just come off of an 11-0 whooping of team Austria on Boxing Day.
Team Sweden
In their only game of the tournament, Sweden looked phenomenal, and they look to continue that against Sweden. So far, Sweden has four players that are all over 3 points so far, with the majority of them recording one goal and multiple assists.
So far, Sweden has shown to be a dominant force so far in the tournament, although Germany is a stronger force than Latvia is, so that may change. If Sweden can keep their pace going from their Boxing Day game against Austria, Sweden should have a pretty good game.
Team Germany
- This is Germany’s first outing of the tournament, with only them and Slovakia not playing yesterday. Germany’s roster consists of only two NHL draft picks; Julian Lutz and Nikita Quapp.
Although Germany doesn’t have a lot of firepower, a lot of Germany’s players are competing in the DEL this year, so they are facing some of their top competition, which should give them an edge.
Although Sweden is heavily favoured in this match against Germany, an upset against one of the top teams can deliver a ton of momentum that this Germany roster needs.
Players To Watch
Sweden has a fair amount of NHL picks, and the majority of them are looking to make an impact at the tournament.
Players like Fabian Lysell, and Liam Ohgren are two of the guys who could provide the biggest impact as the tournament goes on.
Liam Ohgren, drafted 19th overall by the Minnesota Wild, has only a goal so far, but he is one of the best offensive guys on the team, and has been a force to be reckoned with on Europe, being one point shy of being a point per game.
Fabian Lysell, who is already in playing in the AHL with the Providence Bruins, is also just under a point per game, recording 19 points in 20 games with the Bruins so far. However, Lysell had yet to record a point so far, as he was scoreless in the blowout win against Austria.
Prediction
Although this game looks to be an easy win for Sweden, there have been a lot of games have looked easy, yet ended horribly. But, Sweden is a different team this year than most teams. This is Sweden’s first test against one of the better nations in the tournament, so this should put a lot of pressure on Sweden.
For Germany’s sake, this game may not end in their favour by a wide margin, but a lot of pressure may help them secure a massive victory against one of the scariest teams at the tournament.
Prediction: Sweden wins 6-1
