Canada is 2-1 at this year's tournament with their lone loss coming to Latvia in a shootout on Friday.
John Tavares has been keeping tabs on Team Canada and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan at the World Juniors.
Cowan is participating in the tournament for the second time after Canada was eliminated in the quarter finals last year by Czechia. The 19-year-old has one goal and two assists through three games at this year's tournament.
Tavares said after the Maple Leafs' practice on Monday that he has been watching his country at the World Juniors whenever he can find time amid Toronto's busy schedule. Coming out of the holiday break, the Maple Leafs have six games in 10 days.
"I tuned in last night," the 34-year-old said. "I think, obviously, expectations in Canada are always extremely high. They have a very good team. I know Easton is very driven to wanting a much better finish to the tournament than they did last year."
Tavares understands what it's like to play for his country on the world stage. Not only has he played in the World Juniors — where he won back-to-back gold medals — but the forward has also represented Canada at the Olympics and World Cup.
Canada defeated Germany 3-0 on Sunday and are set to play Team USA on New Years Eve.
"I think credit to them and the way they played yesterday and how they just stuck with it. Especially with a lot of noise with how the game finished up against Latvia," Tavares said. "Just to stay the course and grind their way through it and I think that'll only help them build throughout the tournament. Tomorrow night will be a lot of fun to watch."
There have been a lot of eyes on Cowan at the tournament after the Maple Leafs prospect registered one goal and one assist through four games with Canada last year. Playing a much larger role on the team this time around, the young forward is hoping for a much different result.
And Tavares, who has gotten to know Cowan quite a bit through two training camps with the Maple Leafs, is wanting the best for him. Toronto's assistant captain says he tries to keep in touch with Cowan throughout what's a busy NHL season.
"My two boys always ask about him, 'When's he coming over again?'" Tavares grinned.
"Just wished him luck before the tournament and, obviously, he's having a great season and on that stage there, I think he's just really motivated now that he's been back in junior with the opportunity at the World Juniors."
Cowan is in the middle of a historic time in his OHL career. The forward is on a 56-game point streak, which should be a new record. However, because it spans across two seasons, the OHL won't register it in the record books.
(The current record is held by Doug Gilmour, who had points in 55 straight games with the Cornwall Royals in the 1982-83 season.)
The Mount Brydges, Ontario native has 15 goals and 13 assists during a 20-game point streak this season. After being sent back to the OHL by the Maple Leafs, Cowan is looking to return to the Memorial Cup, where he and the London Knights lost last year.
"I know he's talked a lot about having unfinished business in London and how things ended with the Memorial Cup last year," Tavares said. "I think it's a great sign he just wants to continue to push forward, continue to get better, and obviously use opportunities like the World Juniors and trying to get back to a Memorial Cup is a big driver for him to continue his development."
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