WJC Pregame: Canada in need of win ahead of Denmark matchup

Canada heads into today’s matchup with Denmark in an unusual spot- winless after one game. it’s obviously not the end of the world, but the message is definitely clear- don’t blow this one.

Denmark, meanwhile, comes in 1-0, hot off a 2-1 win over Switzerland. Nothing super impressive, but it’s worth noting Switzerland put up three goals on Sweden and just a lone marker to the Danes.

Canada beat Denmark 8-0 in last year’s tournament.

Against a traditionally weaker opponent, these are the games where Canada needs to develop chemistry. The Strome-Marner pairing looked dangerous at times against the US (registering one goal), but a game like today could be the deciding factor as to ice time in the remaining games- so it’s imperative for an impressive game from anyone looking for more ice time. 

Matt Barzal is the interesting one here- as he scored Canada’s opening goal in the tournament but was slotted in originally as the 13th forward, seeing most of his duties on the power play- but you’ll have to think his play in game one earned him a bit more of a chance to be the tournament’s top forward like our onw Tom Hunter predicted.    

Brendan Perlini   Brayden Point  Jake Virtanen

John Quenneville   Dylan Strome Mitchell Marner

Lawson Crouse   Mitchell Stephens   Travis Konecny

Rourke Chartier  Anthony Beauvillier  Julien Gauthier

Mathew Barzal

Defence:

Travis Sanheim  Travis Dermott 

Thomas Chabot  Joe Hicketts

Haydn Fleury  Brandon Hickey

Roland McKeown

Nikolaj Christensen  Alexander True  Mathias From

Kristian Jensen  Soren Nielsen  Jonas Rondbjerg

Jeppe Jul Korsgaard  Jeppe Holmberg  Thomas Olsen

Markus Jensen  Emil Christensen  William Boysen

Niklas Andersen

Defence

Matias Lassen  Christian Mieritz

Lasse Bo Knudsen  Anders Krogsgaard

Nicolai Weichel  Morten Jensen

Ludvig Adamsen

Well, they have 20 skaters, but no big guns like last season in Nikolaj Ehlers and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Some sweet names though.

Canada goes back to Mason McDonald, while Denmark will likely stick with Thomas Lillie. Puck drops at 1 pm.

Over-under 2.5 points from Mitch Marner today?