It's that special time of year, whenStanley Cup playoff action is heating upand the hockey world can also watch their countriesgo for gold.After the 2020 tournament was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the IIHF Men's World Championship is back in 2021. Sixteen teams will compete in the 17-day tourney set to take place in Latvia.Normally a way for NHLers who don't make the postseason to continue plying their trade, the 2021 tournament is jam-packed with youngsters aiming to prove their NHL worth, including a number of prospects set to be drafted in July. Among the group of first-round hopefuls are the United States' Matty Beniers (who won gold at the 2021 juniors) and Canada's Owen Power. There arealso recent top draft picks such as Canada's Cole Perfetti (Jets) and Braden Schneider (Rangers).USA Hockey is aiming for its third gold medal (1933 and 1960) while Hockey Canada is going for gold medal No. 26 and its first since 2016. If Canada does snag Logan Morrison Jersey the gold, then it will tie Ru sia/the Soviet Union for the most in tournament history.Here's everything to know about the 2021world ice hockey championship, including how to watch games on TV and stream online, plusthe full schedule, scores and standings.When is the 2021 Men's World Championship?Dates: May 21 to June 6Sixteen teams divided into two groups will compete in thepreliminary round. Each team will play the other seven teams in their group over the course of the first 12 days of the competition Eddie Rosario Jersey ending onJune 1.The top four teams in each group after the prelims will advance to the quarterfinals on June 3.After the semifinals on June 5, the bronze-medal and gold-medal games will take place on Sunday, June 6.Whereis the 2021 Men's World Championship?The 2021 edition will be held in Riga, Latvia, at two rinks: the Arena Riga and the Olympic Sports Centre. It has been 15 years since Riga hosted the tournament; Sweden won the gold there in 2006.This year's tournament originally was scheduled to be co-hostedby Belarus (Minsk) and Latvia, but the International Ice Hockey Federation moved it in February becauseof political unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic.What channel is the 2021 Men's World Championship being aired on? TV channel (U.S.): NHL NetworkLive steam (U.S.): , Sling TVTV channel (Canada):TSNLive stream (Canada):TSN.caIn the United States, every American game, along with select games of other countries, will beshown on NHL Network. NHL Network can be streamed on and Sling TV. In Canada, TSN will air everygame of the 2021 tournament with select games also appearing exclusively on TSN.ca or the TSN App.Which teams are in the 2021 Men's World Championship? Sixteen teams, divided into two groups of eight, are participating.Group A Group B ROCCanadaSwedenFinlandCzech RepublicUnited StatesSwitzerlandGermanySlovakiaLatviaDenmarkNorwayBelarusItalyGreat BritainKazakhstanWhy is Ru sia listed as 'ROC'?The World Anti-Doping Agency banned Ru sia from international competition for four years last December. The ban includes Olympic Games and world championships and Ru sia's flag or name cannot be used. Athletes, however, are not banned from competing but can only do so under a neutral flag.ROC stands for Ru sian Olympic Committee, and instead of the national anthem being played, Pyotr Tchaikovskys Piano Concerto No. 1will be played.When is Canada vs. USA?There will be a Battle of North America in this tournament as the two teams are in the same group. The teams will meet Sunday, May 23, at 1:15 p Paul Molitor Jersey .m. ET.2021 Men's World Championship standingsGROUP A Team Wins Lo ses OTL Points x-1. ROC61017x-2.Switzerland52015x-3. Czech Republic52013x-4.Slovakia430125.Sweden331106. Denmark33197. Great Britain15148. Belarus1514GROUP B Team Wins Lo ses OTL Points x-1. USA61018x-2. Finland60117x-3. Germany43012x-4. Canada331105. Kazakhstan430106. Latvia22397. Norway34088.Italy0700x-advanced to quarterfinalsWins in regulation = 3 pointsOvertime win = 2 pointsOvertime lo s = 1 point Full schedule for the 2021 Men's World ChampionshipParticipating teams are each guaranteed seven group-stage games. Teamsthat advance to the final day of competition (bronze-medal or gold-medal game) will play 10 contests total.(All times Eastern) FRIDAY, MAY 21 ROC 4, Czech Republic 39:15 a.m.TSN1, NHLNGermany 9, Italy 49:15 a.m.TSN2Belarus 2, Slovakia 51:15 p.m.TSN.ca/TSN AppCanada 0, Latvia 21:15 p.m.TSN1/3, NHLNSATURDAY, MAY 22 Denmark Justin Morneau Jersey 4, Sweden 35:15 a.m.TSN1, NHLNNorway 1, Germany 55:15 a.m.TSN3Great Britain 1, ROC 79:15 a.m.TSN1Finland 2, USA 19:15 a.m.TSN3, NHLNCzech Republic 2, Switzerland 51:15 p.m.TSN1, NHLNLatvia 2, Kazakhstan 3 (SO)1:15 p.m.TSN3SUNDAY, MAY 23 Great Britain 1, Slovakia 25:15 a.m.TSN4, NHLNNorway 4, Italy 15:15 a.m.TSN1Sweden 0, Belarus 19:15 a.m.TSN2Kazakhstan 2, Finland 1 (SO)9:15 a.m.TSN1, NHLNDenmark 0, Switzerland 11:15 p.m.TSN2Canada 1, USA 51:15 p.m.TSN1/3, NHLNMONDAY, MAY 24 Slovakia 3, ROC 19:15 a.m.TSN1/4Latvia 3, Italy 09:15 a.m.TSN3Czech Republic 3, Belarus 2 (OT)1:15 p.m.TSN2Germany 3, Canada 11:15 p.m.TSN1/3/4TUESDAY, MAY 25 Great Britain 2, Denmark 3 (OT Eduardo Escobar Jersey )9:15 a.m.TSN3USA 3, Kazakhstan 09:15 a.m.TSN1/4, NHLNSwitzerland 0, Sweden 71:15 p.m.TSN1/4Finland 5, Norway 21:15 p.m.TSN3WEDNESDAY, MAY 26 ROC 3, Denmark 09:15 a.m.TSN1/4Kazakhstan 3, Germany 29:15 a.m.TSN3Belarus 3, Great Britain 41:15 p.m.TSN2Canada 4, Norway 21:15 p.m.TSN1/3/4THURSDAY, MAY 27 Switzerland 8, Slovakia 19:15 a.m.TSN1USA 4, Latvia 29:15 a.m.TSN4, NHLNSweden 2, Czech Republic 41:15 p.m.TSN1/4Finland 3, Italy 01:15 p.m.TSN3FRIDAY, MAY 28 Sweden 4, Great Britain 19:15 a.m.TSN1/4Kazakhstan 2, Canada 49:15 a.m.TSN3Denmark 5, Belarus 21:15 p.m.TSN1Latvia 3, Norway 4 (SO)1:15 a.m.TSN3SATURDAY, MAY 29 Czech Republic 6, Great Britain 15:15 a.m.TSN1/4Italy 3, Kazakhstan 11