Canada wraps up group play Sunday at the 2024 World Juniors with a matchup against Germany. However, the defending champs are going to be shorthanded at the forward position.
Matthew Savoie is sitting out with a lower-body injury. His status was up in the air heading into Sunday, however, Hockey Canada’s Peter Anholt confirmed that the Sabres prospect would not play in the game.
Savoie, the No. 9 overall pick by Buffalo in 2022, has had a quiet tournament so far. The member of the WHL’s Wenatchee Wild has been skating in a top-line role for Canada; however, Savoie has recorded just a single assist through the first three games of the competition.
Canada already has locked a spot in the knockout stage. A point over Germany will ensure the Canadians finish as the No. 2 seed in Group A, but a loss in regulation would drop the defending champs to No. 3.
The Sporting News has the latest on Savoie and his injury.
Is Matthew Savoie playing today vs. Germany?
Savoie will not play in Sunday’s game against Germany, TSN’s Mark Masters reported about an hour before puck drop.
Matt Savoie will not play tonight, Hockey Canada management lead Peter Anholt confirms @TSN_Edge
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) December 31, 2023
Previously, Canada head coach Alan Letang had said that the team “will see” closer to game time if the forward would be made available. Savoie was seen arriving with Team Canada ahead of the final game of group play, but he will not be on the ice for the final group play game.
We here! 🇨🇦
Nous voici! 🇨🇦#WorldJuniors | #MondialJunior pic.twitter.com/lsmO8sqaIZ
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 31, 2023
Matthew Savoie injury update
Savoie’s injury is unclear, but it is a lower-body injury. He did not miss any time during the loss against Sweden.
Letang’s update on Sunday morning did not provide any details on the ailment other than that the Sabres prospect is considered “day-to-day.”
“[Savoie is] working through some little bumps and bruises,” Letang said.
Sabres GM Kevyn Adams did give a bit of insight on the injury. He said on Saturday that Savoie underwent an MRI for a lower-body injury and there were some initial concerns that the forward could miss the rest of the tournament, hence why the organization added Moose Jaw forward Jagger Firkus to the roster for reinforcement.
Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said Matt Savoie is having an MRI today to diagnose a lower-body injury.
He added that Hockey Canada expressed concern that Savoie may miss the tournament even though it’s not expected to be a major injury, but it’s too soon to know for sure. https://t.co/piidIBb3d2
— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) December 30, 2023
The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler later reported that while Savoie could miss the game against Germany, the injury is not serious enough to keep him out even further, reporting that Savoie would “100%” be ready to go for the knockout stage.
Canada vs. Germany odds
- Puckline: Canada -5.5
- Moneyline: Canada -10000 | Germany +3300
- O/U: 8.5
Canada is a heavy favorite over Germany, with odds courtesy of Sports Interaction. The Germans have just one win at the tournament, an upset victory over Finland.
