Christmas is not just for December 25 anymore.
For Nashville Predators fans, the holiday known as Boxing Day north of the border brings just as many tidings as Christmas did. Not only are the Preds taking on their arch-rival Detroit Red Wings at Bridgestone Arena but Monday afternoon marks the beginning of the 2012 World Junior Championships. And both Preds prospects participating in the tournament are in action.
Miikka Salomaki (2nd round pick, 2011) will be featured first as he represents Finland against the host country Canada. Then, at the same time they drop the puck in Music City they’ll do the same in Edmonton when Austin Watson (1st round, 2010) and Team USA take on Denmark.
The complete NHL Network-US broadcast schedule is below. Plan your next 11 days accordingly. The World Juniors are absolutely not to be missed.
As far as the Preds vs. Wings match tonight, if Nashville wins in regulation, they can pull within a single point of Detroit for third place in the Central. Additionally, they’ll be just one win behind second place St. Louis who, by the way, they play this Friday.
Is tonight a must-win? Absolutely not. But would it greatly help Nashville’s chances in the grand scheme of things? Absolutely it would.
See you at the rink tonight!
2012 IIHF World Junior Championship
NHL Network (U.S.) Television Schedule
| Date | Matchup | City | Time (EST) |
| Dec. 26 | Canada vs. Finland | Edmonton, Alta. | 3:30 p.m. |
| USA vs. Denmark | Edmonton, Alta. | 8 p.m. | |
| Dec. 27 | Denmark vs. Czech Republic | Edmonton, Alta. | 8 p.m. |
| Dec. 28 | Finland vs. USA | Edmonton, Alta. | 3:30 p.m. |
| Czech Republic vs. Canada | Edmonton, Alta. | 8 p.m. | |
| Dec. 29 | Canada vs. Denmark | Edmonton, Alta. | 8 p.m. |
| Dec. 30 | Czech Republic vs. USA | Edmonton, Alta. | 3:30 p.m. |
| Finland vs. Denmark | Edmonton, Alta. | 8 p.m. | |
| Dec. 31 | USA vs. Canada | Edmonton, Alta. | 8 p.m. |
| Jan. 2 | Quarterfinal #1 | Calgary, Alta. | 5 p.m. |
| Quarterfinal #2 | Calgary, Alta. | 9 p.m. | |
| Jan. 3 | Semifinal #1 | Calgary, Alta. | 5 p.m. |
| Semifinal #2 | Calgary, Alta. | 9 p.m. | |
| Jan. 5 | Bronze-Medal Game | Calgary, Alta. | 3:30 p.m. |
| Gold-Medal Game | Calgary, Alta. | 8:00 p.m. |