Canada’s opening day 5-3 victory over Russia showed us a couple of things. For starters, this year’s Team Canada has a real shot at competing. The team is structured well with a team-based approach in their systems and having all five players on the same page while on the ice. The game also displayed the immense skill that Canada possesses. Dylan Strome, Tyson Jost, Matthew Barzal and Pierre Luc Dubois, among others, have the traits to become dominant players for Canada. 

While Canada did pull off a convincing victory over Russia, no indications have been made as to who will be the team’s starting goaltender moving forward. Tonight, Connor Ingram will take the reigns from Connor Hart and start between the pipes as Canada faces off against Slovakia.

Puck drop is slated for 8pm ET and you can catch tonight’s game and all the World Junior action on TSN.

What to expect? Expect a victory, but not an easy one. It’s pretty evident that Canada should be winning this game. But then again, let’s not undermine the talent on Slovakia’s roster. Adam Hushka, Slovakia’s goaltender, is the driving force of their team. The University of Connecticut product was a seventh round selection by the New York Rangers in 2015 and is suiting up for his second U-20 tournament. 

X Factor: Consistency. Canadian teams have struggled with this in the last few tournaments. You need to play a hard 60 minutes to win games and if you don’t give it your all for a period or two, opposing teams will make you pay.

Who to look out for? Look out for Tyson Jost. Jost, 18, shined in Canada’s first game against Russia as he brought the Air Canada Centre to ear piercing noise levels when he scored the game’s first goal. The University of North Dakota product looks to play an integral role for Canada going forward and the comparisons to former University of North Dakota forward, Jonathan Toews aren’t far off. 

Be sure to keep your eye on Connor Ingram tonight as well. Despite a matchup against a weaker opponent, Ingram needs to display his A-game as the battle for the team’s starting goaltender remains open.

Firepower: Slovakia is well equipped with NHL-drafted talent. Along with their goaltender Adam Huska, they have Erik Cernak, a second round selection of the LA Kings in 2015, who will be suiting up for his fourth U-20 tournament. Along with that, they have Adam Ruzicka of the Sarnia Sting. Ruzicka is draft eligible for this coming year’s draft and currently has 22 points in 32 games thus far in his first OHL season. 

Fun Fact: Slovakia won bronze two years ago and a handful of players on this years team were a part of Slovakia’s exciting journey to that medal.