Alex Oveckin: We're not the favorites

Alex Ovechkin said Monday that Russia -- despite the presence of stars such as Evgeny Malkin, Pavel Datsyuk and Ilya Kovalchuk, as well as himself and Caps teammate Alexander Semin -- is not the team to beat in the men's tournament.

Russia, whose first game is Tuesday against Latvia, finished fourth in Turin and is looking for its first gold since 1992, when the Unified Team won gold in Albertville. The nation is hosting the next Winter Games in Sochi, so that provides pressure as well. Ovechkin said the Turin performance isn't important.

"It was a long time ago," he said. "We have a different coach and different players, and I think we have a good team. The most important thing is the result and to have a good feeling."

Canada is definitely a contender, and this hockey-mad country is hoping its beloved Sidney Crosby can bring home an Olympic medal.

"Every team is a dangerous opponent and it is going to be a pretty hard battle," Ovechkin said.