World Cup of Hockey 2016 schedule: Pray for Russia against North America

Team North America thoroughly beat a very good Finland team on Sunday night and for an encore get a chance to feast on the blood of a not-so-good Team Russia tonight.

We got what everyone (should have) expected from the “Young Guns” team against Finland — speedy, talented and an absolute joy to watch. While Russia boasts some impressive forwards, the defense is a trainwreck — and that’s putting it nicely. Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel getting a chance to skate around the Russian defense? That could get ugly.

The Czech Republic will take on Team Europe in each team’s second game of the tournament. Europe is coming off a throttling of Team USA, while the Czechs fell to the uber-talented Canadian squad in its tournament opener. This should be an interesting game — entering the tournament I would have liked the Czech’s chances, but after Saturday’s games I feel like Europe ought to have the edge. We’ll see!

Monday, Sept. 19

Team Czech Republic vs. Team Europe, noon, ESPN2

Team North America vs. Team Russia, 5 p.m., ESPN2