PowerPlay Magazyn

For a long time it seemed Russia cannot put together a winning team. Between 1993 and 2008 they haven't won any major tournament despite not lacking the talent. The Russian teams in that era failed in key games of the tournaments or they just did not buy into to team concept. Whatever it was, they have managed to fix it and since 2008 they have dominated the world stage by winning two straight World Championships.

The following squad was picked by the coach Vyacheslav Bykov, who was the bench boss behind the recent successful teams. An Olympic gold, however, is a completely different challenge. One thing is for sure, the Russian team will be one of most feared by the opposition and they can match anybody with their talent.

Goalies

Evgeni Nabokov

He is the most experienced from the trio of Russian goalies. He has been an elite goalie in the NHL for a very long time now and he backstopped the Russians to World Championship gold in 2008. That tournament was played in Canada too so he has fond memories. The Russians can certainly rely on this Kazakh born netminder to give them a chance to win in every game.

Ilya Bryzgalov

Bryzgalov is having a fantastic season with the underdog team of Phoenix Coyotes. The Yotes are holding on to a playoff spot mainly thanks to this man. He also has the gold medal winning experience from 2009 when he was the Russian number one. He will certainly push Nabokov hard and it will be interesting to see which one of them gets more ice time.

Semyon Varlamov

Varlamov burst onto the scene in last year's playoffs and has continued his great play early on this season. However, injuries have caught up with him and his Olympic start is uncertain now. Even if he gets healthy it is not expected that Bykov will give the young goalie many opportunities. In such an important tournament he might opt for experience.

Defense

Sergei Gonchar

This veteran has built a reputation of one of the best power play quarterbacks in the NHL. His defensive play has long been questioned but he has put that to rest now and he has a Stanley Cup ring to show for it. Gonchar has not been a part of recent Russian success so he will be extra motivated.

Fedor Tyutin

Tyutin has gradually developed into a solid NHL defenseman. His main task will be to shut down the opposing offense rather than score. He leads the Blue Jackets in ice time and is putting up solid offensive numbers too. On this team however, he is not likely to see much time on the power play.

Dmitry Kalinin

Kalinin currently plays in the KHL but he has spent 9 seasons in the NHL. He has been a part of both gold medal winning teams in the last two years and he has proved himslef on international ice. He is having another solid season for the Salavat Yulaev Ufa.

Denis Grebeshkov

Another player who has tasted gold both times. Grebeshkov has finally broken through in the NHL last season with the Oilers, recording a career high 39 points and a plus-12 rating. He is a former first round draft pick.

Anton Volchenkov

The stay-at-home defense will be heading to his second Olympics. He is a big hitter and a good shot blocker. He is one of the leaders on the Senators team in hits and shots blocked. Bykov expects him to do the same in the national team.

Andrei Markov

Markov has missed quite a long time with an injury this season but he made an immediate impact upon his return to the Habs lineup. Markov is one of the best all-round defensemen in the league right now and he is going to be a key player on the power play for Russia.

Konstantin Korneyev

Korneyev plays for CSKA Moscow in the KHL and has been a part of the last two gold medal winning teams. This season he has collected 20 points in 43 games with a plus-9 rating.

Ilya Nikulin

Nikulin has been a stable name on the Russian roster for the past few years. He can put up decent offensive numbers. He has 28 points in 38 games and he is on pace for career highs in the KHL. He plays for Ak Bars Kazan.

Offense

Alex Ovechkin

What hasn't been said about Ovechkin yet? He is a superstar and he will settle for nothing less than gold. It is almost impossible to stop him. He has a wrist shot almost as hard as a slap shot and he does not shy away from physical play. In fact he loves hitting people and sometimes it gets him in trouble. Ovie will be one of the big attractions at the games.

Ilya Kovalchuk

If the unthinkable happens and Ovechkin has a scoring drought during the games, Kovy is most likely to replace him as the top gunner. Kovy usually plays the point on the power plays but Bykov will have many options for that position. In any case, we can expect at least two elite power play units and Kovy will play a major role.

Evgeni Malkin

Last year's top scorer and playoff MVP has had a less distinguished first half of the season. Even though his numbers have not been so magnificent, he is still an elite player who can do it all in the offensive zone. You cannot ever take your eye off Malkin because he has a bag of tricks and he will use them.

Maxim Afinogenov

The speedy winger has bounced back after a couple of poor campaigns and found a new home in Atlanta. At his best he is a dazzling scorer and fast as lightning. Right now he has the confidence and should be a major threat. You will notice him on the ice.

Alexander Semin

The talent just keeps on coming. Semin has been living in the shadow of Ovechkin in Washington but his skills are well known league-wide now. He has great hands and quick feet. Semin wears the heart on his sleeve but most of the time he just lets his play do the talking.

Pavel Datsyuk

The two-time Selke winner is struggling so far this season along with the whole Red Wings team. His talent knows no bounds and he can deke out a defenseman in a phone booth and then score. He can make the perfect pass and hand his teammate a goal on a plate. And he can strip an opponent of the puck like a pickpocket. Datsyuk has it all.

Alexei Morozov

Morozov was never able to make it in the NHL. He has spent 7 seasons in Pittsburgh and his personal best was 50 points. However, in the KHL he has been one of the top stars. In the last few World Championships he has been a major producer for the Russian team. It is no surprise to see him on this team.

Viktor Kozlov

Viktor Kozlov has played almost 900 NHL games before coming back to Russia. The soon 35-year-old plays for Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Kozlov is one of the most experienced players on the squad.

Alexander Radulov

He is the first player to "run away" from the NHL. He is a big star in KHL right now and last year he scored the game winning goal in the World Championship final. In 41 games he has 19 goals and 32 assists for 51 points. He is coming of age at the right time for his first Olympic appearance.

Danis Zaripov

Zaripov has great chemistry going on with Alexei Morozov. They have been teammates in Kazan for a few seasons now and they have showcased their ability on the international stage too.

Sergei Zinoviev

Zinoviev is the third member of the deadly line Morozov-Zaripov-Zinoviev. Zinoviev spent a few years in Kazan and the whole line appeared in this form at several World Championship tournaments. When put together, this line can be the secret weapon of the Russian team.

Sergei Fedorov

Yes, it is the legendary Fedorov. Former Hart Trophy winner and multiple Stanley Cup champion. He plays his hockey in Metallurg Magnitogorsk now. He is still very good in his defensive work and solid on offense. Fedorov is one of the greatest Russian players of the past two decades.

Omissions

Alexei Kovalev - in 2006 he was the captain, this year he didn't get selected.

Alexander Frolov - the Kings winger is yet to fulfill the potential that everybody knows he has.

Vyacheslav Kozlov - this veteran playmaker could be called up in case of injuries.

The Russian team has a mix of NHL and KHL players. KHL is considered the second best league in the world and the top players from this league can compete at NHL level. Bykov has picked players that have proved themselves before. He has shown he is a very good coach and he is a big reason why the Russians finally started to put things together. Russia will be the biggest threat to the host team with their fantastic offensive talent but also with their great goaltending.