WJC Notebook: Playoff Schedule and Update on LA Kings Prospects After today, two things will be behind all of us: the year 2020 and the preliminary round of the 2021 World Junior Championship. However people define a blowout, it’s undeniable the ice was tilted for many of the early tournament bouts. Switzerland went 0-4 while being outscored 20-5. Three other matches saw one team reach double digits in scoring (while shutting out the opposition). Meanwhile, Austria had a very unpleasant time in the competitive Group B – as they were outscored 29-1 and outshot 249-49. Even so, it’s important to realize – while we maintain this is the best annual tournament (and we can’t repeat this enough – you are missing out if you have not watched it at all this year), the performances do not guarantee success or failure of these prospects. Instead, viewers have the pleasure of watching them before they become stars in the NHL. For some, this may not be their moment to shine. Further, 2020 has been a difficult year for everyone, and from a hockey standpoint, some of these players may not have had much time on the ice before lacing up their skates for the tournament.