Russia
The Russians will technically have the “home ice advantage” this year. With a roster containing 16 current NHL players, Team Russia will also have pressure to play at their best if they expect to compete with teams like Canada, USA and Sweden. Top forwards Evgeni Malkin, Pavel Datsyuk and NHL goal leader Alex Ovechkin will provide high fire power on the offensive end. With solid defensemen at their aid, Russia will have high expectations from their netminders. The Avalanches Semyon Varlamov and 2013 Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky should serve as enough depth for team Russia to make a solid push for Gold in their homeland.