5 things to watch as Canada aims to repeat as world champions of women's hockey

For players hoping to earn a spot on the Canadian team heading to Italy for the Olympics next February, this world championship is a crucial audition.

It's the last major tournament before the Games, and a key opportunity for the Canadian staff to test things out.

Players will have some games in the PWHL before the Olympics next February, and the league has certainly become a top evaluation tool for Hockey Canada.

"I think [the PWHL is] great for women's hockey," Canadian GM Gina Kingsbury told CBC Sports in an interview last week. "It allows for a true platform to showcase your skill set and potentially play on the national team."

But this tournament, taking place for the first time in the Czech Republic, might be the last and best chance to take a long look at players in different roles and gauge chemistry.

The Canadians begin the tournament on Thursday against Finland at 1 p.m. ET, followed by another preliminary-round game against Switzerland on Friday at 9 a.m.

HOCKEY NORTH | Previewing women's hockey worlds with PWHL's Natalie Spooner:

Women’s hockey worlds preview with Natalie Spooner

Then, they'll have back-to-back battles against the United States on Sunday (1 p.m.) and the Czech Republic on Monday (1 p.m.). All games air on TSN.

As a team seeded in the A Division, Canada is already guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals, which begin on April 17.

The big question, of course, is whether the Canadians can hold off the Americans to repeat as world champions.

Here are five other intriguing story lines to watch for Team Canada throughout the tournament.

Toronto Sceptres goaltender Kristen Campbell will start in Canada's preliminary-round game against Finland, The Canadian Press reported on Wednesday.

But