7 World Cup predictions

The World Cup of Hockey begins Saturday afternoon in Toronto, with Team USA welcoming Team Europe to the international circuit in the matinee, and host Canada taking on the Czech Republic in prime time.

Here are seven predictions before the NHL officially unveils its very own global showcase:

1) A Boston Bruin (or former Bruin) will lead the tournament in points

Without offering too many spoilers, let's preface the rationale with this: there are three guaranteed games for each team, and the chance of another three to determine the winner in the final of the World Cup.

Look for Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand to continue filling the net as part of the best line from preliminary action with Sidney Crosby, and for ex-Bruin, Loui Eriksson to continue piling up points with the Sedin twins - making a championship matchup between two hockey powerhouses in Canada and Sweden, a likely outcome.

2) McDavid still struggles to produce

But that doesn't mean he's ineffective.

Team North America's captain, who was held without a point in pre-tournament competition, will draw top defense pairings throughout the World Cup, continuing to make it a challenge to break out. But with the attention focused on him, the other uber-talented forwards will feast on mismatches, seeing North America out of the group stage.

3) Canada justifies its selections on defense

It's true, with the manner in which Hockey Canada has chosen to construct its defense, the team is not at its maximal attacking potential. But it doesn't have to be.

With the seven defenders brought to employ Mike Babcock's keep-it-simple defensive scheme, Canada averaged 43 shots per game in exhibition. Expect Canada's 7.75 percent shooting percentage to trend upward, and the defense to remain stingy.

4) Czechs cause fits

With Petr Mrazek, who has that ability to catch fire, and Michal Neuvirth, who was magnificent in his two pre-tournament games, the Czech Republic have two goaltenders fully capable of stealing games. The Czechs have the weakest roster in terms of talent, but also might prove to have what's most important in a short tournament, a hot goalie.

5) Finland (and Team Europe) finish last

Typically, betting against Finland is a fool's errand, but with the high-powered offenses of Sweden, Russia, and North America also in Group B, it's hard to envision its defense holding up. The Finns' incredible run on the international stage ends in Toronto.

6) We get the Canada-North America matchup we all deserve

Everything has to fall into place for hockey fans to see the dream matchup between Canada and North America's young stars, but expect that it will.

Forecasting Canada's finish ahead of the United States in Group A, and North America taking second place in Group B behind Sweden, the semifinal on Saturday Sept. 24 becomes appointment viewing.

7) Canada needs three games to defeat Sweden

If it wasn't explicitly stated with prediction No. 1, it will be Canada clashing with Sweden in the best-of-three series to determine the first World Cup of Hockey champion in more than a decade.

The Three Crowns force a deciding third game before Canada prevails Oct. 1.