World Juniors 2016: Dec. 31 schedule, TV, game thread

All four games feature four different Chicago Blackhawks prospects in Day 6 of the World Junior Championship.

Radovan Bondra (SVK) Gustav Forsling (SWE) and Nick Schmaltz (USA) each scored a goal Wednesday. Schmaltz also added an assist. Joni Tuulola (FIN) has yet to find the scoresheet.

The schedule begins with Bondra and Slovakia against Russia. Slovakia is fourth in Group B with just one win. They're coming off a 8-3 drumming by host Finland. Russia leads the group with three wins, including a 2-1 shootout win over Czech Republic in its opener.

Schmaltz and Team USA look to build off their 10-1 rout of Switzerland against Denmark (1-0-0-2). The Americans are second in Group A with six points, while the Danes are in fourth place just two points shy of third-place Canada. Brandon Halverson should get the start in net after shutting out the Swiss in the final 32 minutes. A win locks the Americans into second place behind Sweden.

The tournament shifts back to Group B with Tuulola and host Finland against Czech Republic. The Czechs kept Belarus winless with a 5-3 victory Wednesday. Finland has scored at least six goals in all three games.

The preliminary round wraps up with Forsling and the Group A winner Sweden against Canada. Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to start for the second straight game as Canada aims for third place in the group. A win for Sweden will give them an undefeated preliminary round.

Schedule

*All times are central