The playoff round of the men's hockey tournament at PyeongChang 2018 is rapidly approaching, with Canada's status uncertain for the next stage.
Canada can still clinch a bye to the quarterfinals but may need some help to do so.
Below is a brief guide to the playoff-clinching scenarios for Canada's men's hockey team.
Canada largely controls its own path
Canada cannot win its group after the Czech Republic's victory over Switzerland early Sunday, but is heavily favored in its own game against South Korea and can advance to the quarterfinals with the best record from a group runner-up.
The defending champions will be encouraged to run up the score as their berth could come down to goal differential.
Sweden vs. Finland will factor in
Ahead of Sunday's game against South Korea, Canada holds a plus-three goal differential. Finland is ahead with a plus-seven mark, while Sweden sits at plus-five. A Canada win, combined with a regulation victory from either Sweden or Finland in their game against each other will punch Canada's ticket into the quarterfinals.
It gets a bit complicated if Sweden and Finland go to overtime, however, as the final quarterfinal spot will come down to goal differential.
Let's say SWE/FIN ends in OT.
— Curtis Morrison (@CurtisMMorrison) February 18, 2018
If SWE loses, their goal diff will be +4 after. Canada's is currently +3, so they'll have to beat South Korea by 2 goals to clinch bye.
If FIN loses, their goal will be +6, so Canada has to win by 4 goals against KOR.
It's important to note that no team will be eliminated from gold-medal contention Sunday. Any team not advancing directly to the quarterfinals will have to play in the qualification playoffs.
