KOSICE, Slovakia – The U.S. finishes preliminary round play here tonight vs. Canada in the 2019 IIHF Men’s World Championship. Opening faceoff is set for 8:15 p.m. (2:15 p.m. ET) and the game can be seen live in the U.S. on NHL Network.

While both the U.S. and Canada have secured a spot in Thursday’s quarterfinals, the game not only has national pride on the line, but also seeding in the group.

With a win tonight in any fashion, the U.S. will win Group A and face Switzerland in Kosice on Thursday (May 23) in the quarterfinals. A loss would mean the U.S. will travel to Bratislava tomorrow for Thursday's quarterfinals and face either the first- or second-place team in Group B.

It’s a busy day here at the world championship with three games at each of the two sites on this final day of preliminary round play.

Defenseman Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets arrived yesterday afternoon and is expected to be in the lineup tonight. Johnny Gaudreau, who has missed the last two games, skated yesterday and will be a game time decision for tonight’s tilt vs. Canada.

While Canada has had the upper hand on the U.S. in men’s world championship play, winning 40 of 46 games, the U.S. won both of its matchups against Team Canada in the tournament a year ago, including a 4-1 victory in the bronze medal game.

NOTES: Team USA has advanced to the quarterfinals of the world championship the last nine years … The U.S. looks for its sixth straight win in this year’s world championship. Team USA has won 19 of its last 23 games in the world championship, its most successful stretch in history.