Stayin’ alive.

The Cincinnati Bengals eventually may not make the 2024 postseason, but their five-game winning streak following Saturday’s 19-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers has put pressure on the two teams ahead of them in the standings.

The Denver Broncos will clinch the final AFC wild-card spot and No. 7 seed with a victory against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, and the Miami Dolphins can do the same with a win over the New York Jets and a Broncos defeat. Cincinnati is now rooting for both teams to lose Sunday (or for the Dolphins to tie).

Cincinnati won its fifth straight game to end the regular season above .500 after starting the 2024 campaign 4-8.

Quarterback Joe Burrow (37-for-46, 277 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception) and the Bengals marched down the field on the game’s opening possession for seven points, as he and Ja’Marr Chase (10 catches, 96 yards) hooked up for a 12-yard touchdown.

All things Bengals: Latest Cincinnati Bengals news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Burrow exited halfway through the third quarter after taking a sack and falling hard helmet-first into the field. Two Steelers, linebacker Nick Herbig and defensive lineman Cam Heyward, both landed on Burrow. Pieces of the Acrisure Stadium turf became lodged in the top of his helmet, and he remained on the ground for several moments in pain while the Bengals training staff came onto the field. Burrow went into the blue medical tent briefly but rejoined his teammates on the sideline and took the field on Cincinnati’s next series.

Cincinnati was without starting running back Chase Brown, who tried to test his injured ankle during warmups but could not go. In his place, Khalil Herbert rushed 19 times for 67 yards. The team lost wideout Tee Higgins to an ankle injury in the fourth quarter, and his absence was certainly noticeable as the Bengals struggled to move the ball down the stretch.

Kicker Cade York knocked through all four of his field-goal attempts to account for the Bengals’ scoring outside of Chase’s touchdown, as Cincinnati could not find the end zone despite seven of their 10 drives reaching inside the Pittsburgh 40-yard line.

Pittsburgh’s offense was abysmal for most of the game, as quarterback Russell Wilson’s final stat line was a far cry from the 400-yard performance he had in a 44-38 win in November. As the Steelers took the field down 12 points in the fourth quarter, they had yet to eclipse 100 yards of total offense. But Wilson had six completions on the ensuing drive – one more than he had in the game up until that point – and found Pat Freiermuth for a 19-yard touchdown with 8:07 remaining to give the game’s ending some drama.

Disaster nearly struck for the Bengals when they were about to receive the ball back with about five minutes remaining. The Steelers’ punt grazed Bengals cornerback D.J. Ivey’s foot, and Steelers tight end Connor Heyward recovered the ball before it went out of bounds. Pittsburgh recovered at the Bengals’ 38-yard line with 5:14 to go and down 19-14. Boswell connected on a 54-yard field goal to make it a two-point game with 2:39 to go.

Wilson bailed the Bengals out on the final possession on three straight plays. First, he opted to run and keep the clock running by not throwing the ball out of bounds and rushing for a short gain. On the next play, he took a sack, Trey Hendrickson’s third-and-a-half of the game (17.5 on the season). A third-down deep ball to George Pickens, who had three drops, fell incomplete as Wilson and the receiver were not on the same page. On fourth down, a pass that Freiermuth dropped ended Pittsburgh’s chances of a comeback.

The Steelers’ attention now turns to the Los Angeles Chargers’ matchup Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. Should the Chargers win, they would become the AFC’s No. 5 seed and Pittsburgh would face the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC North wild-card round matchup. If the Chargers lose, Pittsburgh would face the Houston Texans in the 4-5 battle.

The father of Georgia coach Kirby Smart died Saturday following complications from hip surgery, the school announced.

Sonny Smart was 76 and had surgery after a fall in New Orleans before Georgia’s loss to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.

‘Sonny fell while walking during the day on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans and fractured his hip,’ the school said in a statement. ‘He was hospitalized and underwent hip surgery; unfortunately, complications arose. He fought valiantly but was unable to overcome his injuries.’

Sonny Smart was a longtime high school football coach in Alabama and in Georgia at Bainbridge High School, where his son Kirby Smart played for him, and later at Rabun County High.

Saturday coaches and officials, including SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, shared their condolences with Smart’s family.

‘I’ve known Kirby for 25 years and always enjoyed my interactions with his dad. He was a BALL COACH thru and thru -And a competitor,’ South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer wrote on social media. ‘I’m still recovering from the beat down Coach Smart & my dad gave Kirby and I on the golf course in a “friendly” July 4 Father-Son match years ago My heart hurts for the Smart family and we’re sending prayers to all of them.’

A dominant United States lifted its second United Cup mixed team tennis tournament title in three years after they beat Poland 2-0 on Sunday with Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz both winning their singles matches.

The top seeds in the $10 million tournament that began with 18 nations in contention clinched the trophy when Fritz defeated Hubert Hurkacz 6-4 5-7 7-6(4) after Coco Gauff outclassed Iga Swiatek 6-4 6-4 in Sydney, Australia.

The Americans had also won the 2023 title in the inaugural edition of the tournament, which serves as a tune-up event for the Australian Open Grand Slam.

With the second singles contest locked at one set apiece, Fritz raised his level at 3-3 in the tiebreak of the decider to see off Hurkacz and spark huge celebrations.

‘Congratulations to Poland on a great week,’ said Fritz, addressing a dejected Polish side that finished runners-up at the tournament for a second successive year.

‘They’re an incredibly tough team and the margins were very small. I feel that it could have gone either way.

‘I want to thank my team, unbelievable support. The vibes all week were amazing. That’s one of the things that makes our team so great and one of the reasons why we’ve been able to do so well.

‘We’ve just really come together. It’s amazing.’

Gauff earlier stepped up preparations for the year’s first major that begins next Sunday with a second successive win over world number two Swiatek in a blockbuster showdown that gave fans at the Ken Rosewall Arena their money’s worth.

The world number three, who beat Swiatek en route to the WTA Finals title last season, squandered a 2-0 lead in the first set but battled back from there to gain the upper hand in the match as her opponent counted the costs of 19 unforced errors.

In another high-octane set that followed, Gauff recovered a break to level at 4-4 and went on to secure the win that ensured she ended her singles campaign at the tournament unbeaten.

‘I have the belief that I’m one of the best players in the world. When I play good tennis, I’m hard to beat,’ said Gauff, who also beat Leylah Fernandez, Donna Vekic, Zhang Shuai and Karolina Muchova in the event.

‘Today I think I played some great tennis. I’m glad I was able to get a point for Team USA. It was tough today, I’m not going to lie.’

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Add a Presidential Medal of Freedom to the list.

President Biden awarded Johnson and 18 other recipients the nation’s highest civilian honor on Saturday. ‘Thank you for all you’ve done to help this country,’ Biden said to the recipients during a ceremony at the White House.

When it came to dishing the medals, Biden needed an assist from Johnson, who just so happens to be a four-time NBA assists leader for the Los Angeles Lakers. The 6-foot-9 Hall of Famer squatted down in front of Biden so the president could place the medal around his neck, a move that drew laughs from the crowd in the East Room.

Johnson flashed a thumbs up sign and the two embraced afterward.

Johnson was drafted out of Michigan State with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers, where he ushered in the era of ‘Showtime’ Lakers until he abruptly retired in 1991 after contracting HIV. ‘His honesty about his HIV status shattered stigmas and saved lives,’ the White House emcee announced on Saturday as Biden presented Johnson his medal. Johnson briefly played for the Lakers in 1996 before retiring for good.

He went on to become a successful entrepreneur and sports team owner. He’s in the ownership groups for MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers, the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, the NFL’s Washington Commanders, Los Angeles FC in MLS and the NWSL’s Washington Spirit. His philanthropic work also supports underserved communities through his Magic Johnson Foundation.

Johnson, 65, said he was ‘so humbled and overwhelmed with emotion’ to be recognized.

‘Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that this kid from Lansing, MI would one day grow up and receive one of the highest civilian awards of the United States,’ Johnson, a 12-time All-Star, wrote on X. ‘To be in the company of so many remarkable individuals is both humbling and inspiring. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to President Biden for his leadership and for recognizing the contributions of so many who are working to make a difference in our nation, especially inner cities of America, and across the world.’

Johnson added: ‘This award is not just mine; it belongs to everyone who has helped me become the person and businessman I am today… It also belongs to everyone who has dedicated themselves to the causes of freedom, justice, and equality. I accept this honor with a deep sense of responsibility. It serves as a reminder of the work still ahead and the change we can all help bring about! I promise to keep working to make a positive difference for our country and the world.’

Johnson was among 19 recipients awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Biden, including Inter Miami soccer star Lionel Messi, former Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton, U2 musician Bono, longtime Vogue editor-and-chief Anna Wintour and actors Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is presented to ‘individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,’ according to the White House.

Messi was unable to accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Biden on Saturday due to a scheduling issue.

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Every week for the duration of the 2024 NFL regular season, USA TODAY Sports will provide timely updates to the league’s ever-evolving playoff picture − typically starting after Sunday afternoon’s late games and then moving forward for the remainder of the week (through Monday’s and Thursday’s games or Saturday’s, if applicable.)

What just happened? What does it mean? What are the pertinent factors (and, perhaps, tiebreakers) prominently in play as each conference’s seven-team bracket begins to crystallize? All will be explained and analyzed up to the point when the postseason field is finalized on Sunday, Jan. 5.

Here’s where things stand with Week 18 of the 2024 season under way:

NFC playoff picture

x – 1. Detroit Lions (14-2), NFC North leaders: They couldn’t gain anything substantive with Monday night’s win at San Francisco aside from the resumption of the overall NFC lead. But the Lions can achieve everything they want from the regular season, including home-field advantage and the division title, by sweeping Minnesota at Ford Field in the final regular-season game of the league’s 2024 schedule Sunday night. Remaining schedule: vs. Vikings

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y – 2. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3), NFC East champions: They locked down the division crown in Week 17 and the NFC’s No. 2 seed. For now – with nothing to gain Sunday and key starters like RB Saquon Barkley resting – they need to get QB Jalen Hurts (concussion) healthy while awaiting their wild-card round opponent. Remaining schedule: vs. Giants

y – 3. Los Angeles Rams (10-6), NFC West champions: Like Philly, they wrapped up their division in Week 17 and just want to get through Week 18 intact before preparing for their playoff opener. Remaining schedule: vs. Seahawks

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7), NFC South leaders: Their Week 17 rout of the Panthers moved them back into first place, and Atlanta’s overtime loss at Washington kept Tampa Bay there. Win their Week 18 game, and the Bucs earn a fourth consecutive division crown – and they’d also elevate to the third seed if the Rams lose Sunday. A loss combined with a Falcons win sends the Buccaneers down the playoff plank. Remaining schedule: vs. Saints

x – 5. Minnesota Vikings (14-2), wild card No. 1: They’re one Week 18 win from wrapping up the division, home-field advantage and a first-round bye in the NFC. Who saw this coming? Remaining schedule: at Lions

x – 6. Washington Commanders (11-5), wild card No. 2: A thrilling overtime victory in Week 17’s Sunday night game against Atlanta launched them into the field … and maybe won QB Jayden Daniels the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Washington’s 8-3 record in NFC games is two better than Green Bay’s, so the Commanders will get the sixth seed if those teams wind up with the same record. Remaining schedule: at Cowboys

x – 7. Green Bay Packers (11-5), wild card No. 3: Getting swept by Detroit and (eventually) Minnesota relegated the Pack to wild-card status even before Week 17. Should be notable to see how hard they and the Commanders work to engineer a matchup with the No. 3 seed next week rather than facing a trip to Philadelphia. Remaining schedule: vs. Bears

8. Seattle Seahawks (9-7), eliminated: Though they have a better record than the Falcons, whom the Seahawks beat earlier this season, Seattle has no path to the playoffs. Remaining schedule: at Rams

9. Atlanta Falcons (8-8), in the hunt: A gut-wrenching Week 17 loss to the Commanders means they need to beat Carolina in Week 18 and hope the Bucs also lose in order to win the NFC South. Remaining schedule: vs. Panthers

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AFC playoff picture

yz – 1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1), AFC West champions: By crushing Pittsburgh on Christmas, they secured home-field advantage and a first-round bye – and two-plus weeks off in actuality with many starters resting in what’s now a meaningless (for K.C., anyway) Week 18 contest at Denver. Remaining schedule: at Broncos Playoff schedule: BYE

y – 2. Buffalo Bills (13-3), AFC East champions: They’ve locked up the No. 2 seed, meaning the road to Super Bowl 59 could go through Western New York if the Chiefs lose their playoff opener. Remaining schedule: at Patriots Playoff schedule: vs. Broncos or Dolphins or Bengals

y – 3. Baltimore Ravens (12-5), AFC North champions: Catching fire? Probably an understatement as they blazed their way to the division crown and No. 3 seed Saturday afternoon by smoking Cleveland. Playoff schedule: vs. Chargers or Steelers

y – 4. Houston Texans (9-7), AFC South champions: They rule a weak division for the second straight year and are cemented them as the fourth seed … which will likely mean a tough wild-card matchup, albeit in Houston. Remaining schedule: at Titans Playoff schedule: vs. Steelers or Chargers

x – 5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6), wild card No. 1: They moved up to the fifth seed courtesy of Pittsburgh’s loss and will secure the wild-card matchup with Houston by beating Las Vegas on Sunday. Lose, and the Bolts slide back to the sixth seed (due to their Week 3 loss at Pittsburgh) and get a trip to Baltimore. Remaining schedule: at Raiders Playoff schedule: at Texans or Ravens

x – 6. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7), wild card No. 2: They’ve lost four in a row (by an average of 13 points) to close out the regular season, dropping them from the AFC North lead and No. 3 seed down to sixth. A loss by the Chargers on Sunday would push Pittsburgh back up to fifth in the conference. Playoff schedule: at Texans or Ravens

7. Denver Broncos (9-7), wild card No. 3: They’ve had win-and-in scenarios in their past two games and lost both times. Lose again, and they’re out. However, one more victory – or tie – will advance Denver to the playoffs for the first time since they won Super Bowl 50 with Peyton Manning and Von Miller nearly nine years ago. The Broncos’ Week 18 game against Kansas City means basically nothing to the Chiefs – and that should be a real advantage for Denver, which can do no better than the seventh seed. Remaining schedule: vs. Chiefs

8. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8), in the hunt: Still alive thanks to a five-game winning streak. Though they appear like the best team outside the postseason field, the Bengals still need help to get in – losses by both the Dolphins and Broncos on Sunday.

9. Miami Dolphins (8-8), in the hunt: After handling the Browns on the road in Week 17 – and without injured QB Tua Tagovailoa, who seems likely to sit again against the Jets – they qualify if they win in Week 18 and the Broncos lose. Miami’s record in AFC games (6-5) is better than both Denver’s and Cincinnati’s. Remaining schedule: at Jets

x – clinched playoff berth

y – clinched division

z – clinched home-field advantage, first-round bye

NFL playoff-clinching scenarios for Week 18

Cincinnati clinches playoff berth with:

Denver loss + Miami loss or tie

Denver clinches playoff berth with:

Win or tie

Miami clinches playoff berth with:

Win + Denver loss

Detroit clinches NFC North and NFC’s No. 1 seed (first-round bye and home-field advantage) with:

Win or tie

Minnesota clinches NFC North and NFC’s No. 1 seed (first-round bye and home-field advantage) with:

Win

Atlanta clinches NFC South with:

Win + Tampa Bay loss

Tampa Bay clinches NFC South with:

Win or tie
Atlanta loss or tie

First-round order for 2025 NFL draft (projected)

(Team records in parentheses)

Cleveland Browns (3-14)
New England Patriots (3-13)
Tennessee Titans (3-13)
New York Giants (3-13)
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
Carolina Panthers (4-12)
New York Jets (4-12)
Las Vegas Raiders (4-12)
Chicago Bears (4-12)
New Orleans Saints (5-11)
San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
Indianapolis Colts (7-9)
Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
Miami Dolphins (8-8)
Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
Houston Texans (9-7)
Denver Broncos (9-7)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
Washington Commanders (11-5)
Green Bay Packers (11-5)
Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
Buffalo Bills (13-3)
Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
Detroit Lions (14-2)
Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)

(Note: Spots 19 through 32 determined by playoff results)

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis

The United States will try to make history and avenge its only loss at the 2025 world junior hockey championship when it faces Finland in Sunday’s gold-medal game in Ottawa (7:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network).

The defending champion Americans lost 4-3 in overtime to Finland in the third game of the preliminary round. They have been perfect since then, beating Canada, Switzerland (quarterfinals) and Czechia (semifinals) to reach the championship game. Finland has won five games in a row.

With one more win, the USA will become back-to-back champions for the first time in its history at the tournament. The Americans, who brought back 10 players and coach David Carle from last year’s team, had never before reached the final in the year after winning it all.

Sweden and Czechia will face each other in the bronze-medal game (3:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network).

Here’s what to know about the medal round of the world junior hockey championship:

When is USA vs. Finland world juniors hockey game?

The United States and Finland will play for gold at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Sweden and Czechia will play for bronze at 3:30.

How to watch USA vs. Finland world juniors hockey game

Both games will be shown on NHL Network in the United States and on TSN in Canada.

How to stream USA vs. Finland world juniors hockey game

Fubo and Sling carry NHL Network in the United States.

Today’s world juniors hockey games

All times p.m. ET

Sweden vs. Czechia, 3:30

United States vs. Finland, 7:30

USA vs. Finland players to watch

United States: The Boston College line of Ryan Leonard, Gabe Perreault and James Hagens has combined for 25 points. Leonard has a team-best five goals. Perreault and Boston University’s Cole Hutson have a team-best nine points. Hagens (eight points) is considered the top prospect in the 2025 NHL draft.

Finland: Draft-eligible goalie Petteri Rimpinen has played every minute and has a 2.12 goals-against average. Forward Jesse Kiiskinen has a five-game goal streak. Forward Konsta Helenius has seven assists.

Sweden vs. Czechia players to watch

Sweden: Defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellika has nine points. Forward Otto Stenberg scored twice against Finland.

Czechia: Forward Jakub Stancl has a tournament-best six goals.

World juniors schedule

Dec. 26

Sweden 5, Slovakia 2
United States 10, Germany 4
Czechia 5, Switzerland 1
Canada 4, Finland 0

Dec. 27

Slovakia 2, Switzerland 1
Finland 3, Germany 1
Sweden 8, Kazakhstan 1
Latvia 3, Canada 2 (SO)

Dec. 28

Czechia 14, Kazakhstan 2
United States 5, Latvia 1

Dec. 29

Sweden 7, Switzerland 5
Finland 4, United States 3 (OT)
Czechia 4, Slovakia 2
Canada 3, Germany 0

Dec. 30

Slovakia 5, Kazakhstan 4 (OT)
Latvia 4, Germany 3 (OT)

Dec. 31

Switzerland 3, Kazakhstan 1 
Finland 3, Latvia 0
Sweden 4, Czechia 2
United States 4, Canada 1

World juniors hockey playoff round

All times Eastern

Jan. 2 (quarterfinals)

Sweden 3, Latvia 2
United States 7, Switzerland 2
Finland 5, Slovakia 3
Czechia 4, Canada 3

Jan. 4

Finland 4, Sweden 3 (OT)
United States 4, Czechia 1

Jan. 5

Bronze-medal game: Sweden vs. Czechia, 3:30 p.m. ET, NHLN, TSN
Gold-medal game: USA vs. Finland, 7:30 p.m. ET, NHLN, TSN

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LOS ANGELES — Kawhi Leonard made his season debut for the Los Angeles Clippers in Saturday night’s 131-105 victory over the Atlanta Hawks at the Intuit Dome.

Leonard gained confidence from the way his return went but knows he’s still ‘day-to-day’ when it comes to his availability due to ongoing right knee soreness.

‘I’m just keeping it moving,’ Leonard said. ‘Just keep playing and doing what I have been doing to get me to this point, that’s all I can ask for. It’s out of my control.’

Coach Tyronn Lue confirmed that the team will be intentional with Leonard’s playing time in the coming days.

“Just making sure we are taking it slow,” Lue said before the game about Leonard’s availability. “This is like his preseason and his training camp because he didn’t have that.”

The six-time All-Star is expected to be on a minutes restriction as he continues to get acclaimed but Lue did not want to commit publicly to an exact number. Leonard is fully on board with the decision to work back into the game slowly.

Leonard missed the first 34 games of the season but the Clippers managed to produce a 19-15 record in his absence behind the efforts of James Harden and Norman Powell.

Leonard became a full-contact participant for Clippers’ practices starting Dec. 18, which fueled speculation that the two-time Defensive Player of the Year was close to making a return. The San Diego State alum spent the last few days working with the team’s G League affiliate in San Diego and participating in 5-on-5 scrimmages.

During the Clippers’ media day session in September, Leonard consistently told reporters that he hoped to remain healthy enough to have a run in the playoffs. He signed a three-year, $153 million deal in January and felt he was coming off a ‘good’ season in 2023-24.

The Clippers are currently the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.

How did Kawhi Leonard perform in his season debut?

Leonard scored 12 points and collected three rebounds in 19 minutes of play. He brought the crowd to its feet during the first half after going 3-for-3 from long range. He finished 3-for-5 from 3, but 4-for-11 from the field overall. He added an assist, a steal and had two turnovers.

He averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 68 games last season, the most he has played since playing a career-high 74 games during the 2016-17 season. Leonard was limited to 52 games throughout the 2022-23 season and missed the 2021-22 season due to an ACL injury.

The United States will have a chance to win back-to-back titles for the first time after it defeated Czechia 4-1 in the semifinals of the world junior hockey championship.

The Americans got goals Saturday from Gabe Perreault, Cole Eiserman, Ryan Leonard and Oliver Moore to reach Sunday’s championship game (7:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network).

They will face Finland, which had beaten the USA earlier in the tournament. The Finns advanced with a 4-3 overtime victory against rival Sweden. Czechia and Sweden will play for bronze (3:30 p.m., NHL Network) on Sunday.

Eiserman had put the USA ahead in the second period with a power-play goal on a one-timer. Boston College teammates Leonard and Perreault had set up each other for the Americans’ first and third goals against Czechia goalie Michael Hrabal, who plays for the University of Massachusetts. Moore scored into an empty net.

Trey Augustine made 26 saves for his 11th career tournament win, passing Jack Campbell’s U.S. record.

The United States brought back 10 players and coach David Carle from last year’s title team. The USA reached the final for the first time in the year after it won a title.

Highlights from USA-Czechia and Sweden-Finland semifinals at the world junior hockey championships:

Final score: USA 4, Czechia 1

The Americans will face Finland in the final.

USA-Czechia score: Oliver Moore gets empty-netter

The USA ups its lead to 4-1. 1:06 left. It’s Moore’s first goal of the tournament.

Czechia pulls goalie again

1:46 left in game.

Czechia pulls goalie for extra skater

But Petr Sikora trips Ryan Leonard and the USA goes on the power play.

USA-Czechia score: Ryan Leonard puts USA up by two

The Boston College line connects again with Gabe Perreault feeding Ryan Leonard on a 2-on-1 break for an easy tap-in and a 3-1 lead. Leonard had fed Perreault on the USA’s first goal.

USA goes on power play

Czechia called for too many men on the ice. USA moves the puck around well but doesn’t score.

Big save by Trey Augustine

U.S. goalie Trey Augustine stretches to make a pad save to rob Adam Jecho on a rebound. Still 2-1 USA.

Czechia is pressing

They now lead the USA in shots.

Czechia on power play

Logan Hensler called for hooking Petr Sikora. Cole Eiserman gets in Sikora’s face afterward. USA kills it off with Trey Augustine making some solid saves.

Third period underway

USA leads 2-1. Finland awaits the winner.

End of second: USA 2, Czechia 1

That was a tightly played period, with U.S. and Czech players playing strong defensive hockey and limiting chances. The USA took advantage of an abbreviated power play to score on a Cole Eiserman one-timer. Czech goalie Michael Hrabal slid over to stop Cole Hutson in the final minute. Shots were 7-7.

USA-Czechia score: Cole Eiserman puts USA ahead

Trevor Connelly darts into the offensive zone and feeds Cole Eiserman, who scores on a one-timer at 13:41 for a 2-1 lead. Cole Hutson gets the secondary assist for his ninth point of the tournament.

USA on abbreviated power play

There’s 55 seconds left.

Czechia goes on power play

Adam Jecho gets Czechia’s first shot of the period and is high-sticked by Adam Kleber. But Tomas Galvas high-sticks Zeev Buium and it’s 4-on-4 play.

Strong defensive play

Seven minutes into the second period, there’s one shot on net, by the USA.

Second period underway

Czechia kills off the rest of the USA power play. Still 1-1.

End of first: USA 1, Czechia 1

Captain Ryan Leonard was very visible in that period. He made a great pass on Gabe Perreault’s goal and had two chances by driving the net. Shots are 9-7 USA. The Americans will have 24 seconds left in their power play when the second period starts.

Ryan Leonard stopped

U.S. captain Ryan Leonard is in all alone and Michael Hrabal makes a leg save. Czechia’s Adam Zidlicky is called for roughing and the USA goes on a power play.

USA-Czechia score: Czechia ties it up

Czechia forces a U.S. turnover and Jakub Stancl ties the game at 9:28. It’s his sixth goal of the tournament.

USA-Czechia score: Gabe Perreault gives USA lead

The Boston College line strikes. Ryan Leonard charges into the offensive zone and makes a pass while falling to Gabe Perreault, who beats Michael Hrabal for a 1-0 lead at 3:14 of the first period.

USA goes shorthanded

Captain Ryan Leonard is called for interference. He’s wearing a full shield after taking a puck off the face in the last game. The USA kills it off. Adam Jecho hits the post.

USA-Czechia game underway

This winner faces Finland in Sunday’s gold-medal game.

USA-Czechia goaltending matchup

USA’s Trey Augustine vs. Czechia’s Michael Hrabal

Projected USA lines

Final: Finland 4, Sweden 3 (OT)

Finland survives an onslaught from Sweden in the third period and overtime to win on a Benjamin Rautiainen bad-angle goal. It was Finland’s second power-play goal of the game after being the second worst in the tournament with the man advantage heading into the game. Konsta Helenius, a Buffalo Sabres first-round pick, had four assists.

Finland has won five games in a row, including against the United States. Goalie Petteri Rimpinen has played every minute of the tournament and made 43 saves against Sweden.

USA-Czechia is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET in Ottawa.

Finland wins in overtime

Benjamin Rautiainen scores from a bad angle on the power play for a 4-3 win. The Finns will advance to the gold-medal game against the USA-Czechia winner. Sweden will play for bronze.

Finland goes on power play

Sweden’s Tom Willander is called for holding with 1:20 left in overtime. Finland hits the crossbar.

Sweden goes on power play

Jesse Nurmi is called for high-sticking. 4-on-3 play. Finland kills it off. Three shots for Sweden.

Overtime underway

Sweden and Finland play a lot of one-goal games and that will be the case again.

End of third period: Sweden 3, Finland 3

The puck seemed to be in Finland’s end the entire third period. Finland’s Petteri Rimpinen was solid, but would probably like that Sweden third-period goal back. The game is heading to overtime. Ten minutes of sudden-death 3-on-3 overtime and a shootout, if necessary.

Sweden ties it up

Sweden’s dominant play pays off. Wilhelm Hallquisth’s innocent-looking shot from the point sneaks through Petteri Rimpinen. Score is 3-3 with 8:28 left.

Midpoint of third period

Finland up 3-2. Shots are 12-1 Sweden.

Sweden goes on power play

Emil Pieniniemi is called for cross-checking. Sweden’s power play has already connected once in his game. Finland’s tournament-leading penalty killing unit kills it off.

Sweden controlling play

Sweden outshooting Finland 8-1 early in the third period.

Third period underway

Finland leads 3-2.

End of second period: Finland 3, Sweden 2

After a tentative first period, the teams ramp up their scoring chances in the second period. Sweden’s Otto Stenberg scores twice, but Finland takes the lead on Arttu Alasiurua’s goal in the last minute. Finland’s struggling power play connects and one Finnish goal is overturned. Finland outshoots Sweden 20-10 in the period.

Finland takes lead

Arttu Alasiurua drives to the net and puts Finland up 3-2 with 20.8 seconds left in the second period.

Sweden ties game

This time, the tournament’s top power play connects. Otto Stenberg scores on a one-timer that deflects in off a Finnish player. Score is 2-2.

Finland takes lead

With Herman Traff in the penalty box for holding, Jesse Kiiskinen tips in a Topias Hynninen shot for his fifth goal of the tournament. Konsta Helenius picks up his second point of the game with a secondary assist. Score is 2-1 Finland.

Sweden penalty ends power play

Captain Axel Sandin-Pellika loses control of the puck and is called for tripping 17 seconds into the power play.

Sweden goes on power play

Emil Hemming trips Otto Stenberg. Sweden has the tournament’s power play. Finland has the best penalty kill.

Finland goal is overturned

Finland’s Aron Kiviharju scores from a bad angle, but Sweden challenges for offsides. After a long review, the goal is overturned. Still 1-1.

Finland ties game

Emil Hemming scores from near the left faceoff circle after a pass from Konsta Helenius. It happens a second after the Finns’ power play expires. Score is 1-1.

Finland goes on power play

Viggo Gustafsson is called for high-sticking, though it was a sell job by the Finnish player.

Sweden takes lead on Finland

After Sweden is pinned in its zone to start the period, Otto Stenberg starts a 2-on-1 break. He rips a shot over Petteri Rimpinen’s shoulder for a 1-0 lead.

Second period underway

Still scoreless.

End of first period: Sweden 0, Finland 0

Finland had the better play early, but Sweden gets a few chances off the rush later. Not a lot of good scoring opportunities. Finnish goalie Petteri Rimpinen gets a glove on Anton Wahlberg’s shot. Shots are 10-10.

Finland outshooting Sweden

Finland has a 6-2 lead in shots halfway through the first period.

Sweden kills penalty

Back to even strength. Game still scoreless.

Finland goes on power play

Viggo Gustafsson is called for high-sticking. Finland has the second-worst power play of the tournament. Sweden has the second-worst penalty kill.

Sweden-Finland semifinal underway

The winner goes for gold on Sunday. The loser plays for bronze.

Sweden-Finland goaltending matchup

Sweden’s Melker Thelin vs. Finland’s Petteri Rimpinen

Sweden-Finland semifinal is first

This is one of the bigger rivalries in international hockey. ‘We live next to each other, so I guess a little bit of hatred, if you could say that, comes from there,’ Swedish captain Alex Sandin-Pellika told TSN.

When is world juniors hockey semifinals?

Sweden and Finland will play at 3:30 at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. The United States and Czechia will play at 7:30.

How to watch world juniors hockey semifinals

Both semifinals will be shown on NHL Network in the United States and on TSN in Canada.

How to stream world juniors hockey semifinals

Fubo and Sling carry NHL Network in the United States.

Today’s world juniors hockey games

Finland 4, Sweden 3 (OT)
USA 4, Czechia 1

USA vs. Czechia players: What to know

United States: The Americans won a gold medal last year. They have brought back 10 players and coach David Carle. Returnees Leonard and Notre Dame’s Danny Nelson are tied for the team lead with four goals. So is Hagens, a front-runner for the top pick in the 2025 draft. Hagens and Boston University defenseman Cole Hutson have a team-high eight points. Boston College’s Gabe Perreault, the linemate of Leonard and Hagens, has seven points. The United States has the second-best power play at the tournament.

Czechia: Czechia won bronze last year. Forwards Eduard Sale and Jacob Stancl are tied for the team lead with five goals. Sale, a Seattle Kraken first-round pick who plays in the American Hockey League, has two game-winners. Stancl and Vojtech Hradec have a team-high eight points. Czechia has a slightly better penalty kill than the USA.

Sweden vs. Finland: What to know

Sweden: Sweden won silver last year. Defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellika, a Detroit Red Wings first-round pick, is the tournament’s top remaining scorer with nine points. He and forward Anton Wahlberg have four goals. Victor Eklund, the brother of the San Jose Sharks’ William Eklund, is eligible for the 2025 draft. Sweden has the tournament’s top power play.

Finland: Finland lost to Czechia in last year’s bronze-medal game. Forward Jesse Kiiskinen has a team-best four goals and five points. Goalie Petteri Rimpinen has played every game, including a victory against the USA, and has a 2.00 goals-against average. Finland has the tournament’s top penalty kill and second-worst power play.

World juniors semifinal matchups

The United States, Sweden, Finland and Czechia were in last year’s semifinals, but the matchups are different this year. The USA beat Finland 3-2 and Sweden beat Czechia 5-2 in 2024.

World juniors schedule

Dec. 26

Sweden 5, Slovakia 2
United States 10, Germany 4
Czechia 5, Switzerland 1
Canada 4, Finland 0

Dec. 27

Slovakia 2, Switzerland 1
Finland 3, Germany 1
Sweden 8, Kazakhstan 1
Latvia 3, Canada 2 (SO)

Dec. 28

Czechia 14, Kazakhstan 2
United States 5, Latvia 1

Dec. 29

Sweden 7, Switzerland 5
Finland 4, United States 3 (OT)
Czechia 4, Slovakia 2
Canada 3, Germany 0

Dec. 30

Slovakia 5, Kazakhstan 4 (OT)
Latvia 4, Germany 3 (OT)

Dec. 31

Switzerland 3, Kazakhstan 1 
Finland 3, Latvia 0
Sweden 4, Czechia 2
United States 4, Canada 1

World juniors hockey playoff round

All times Eastern

Jan. 2 (quarterfinals)

Sweden 3, Latvia 2
United States 7, Switzerland 2
Finland 5, Slovakia 3
Czechia 4, Canada 3

Jan. 4

Finland 4, Sweden 3 (OT)
USA 4, Czechia 1

Jan. 5

Bronze medal game: Sweden vs. Czechia, 3:30 p.m., NHLN, TSN

Gold-medal game: USA vs. Finland, 7:30 p.m., NHLN, TSN

Where is next year’s world junior hockey championship?

The 2026 tournament will be held in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5. This will be the United States’ first time hosting since it was held in Buffalo in 2018.

IIHF names Hall of Fame Class of 2025

The International Ice Hockey Federation, which runs the hockey tournament, has announced its 2025 Hall of Fame class. They are former NHL players Zdeno Chara, Henrik Lundqvist, Frans Nielsen and David Vyborny, former women’s Olympians Kim Martin-Hasson and Vicky Sunohara, plus former Finnish Ice Hockey Association president Kai Hietarinta.

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