2014 Olympics: Malkin to play with Ovechkin in the Olympics

Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin are expected to play extensively together on Russia’s top line in the 2014 Olympic Games. In previous international play, Malkin and Ovechkin have mostly played on separate lines. In the 2010 Olympics, Ovechkin played on a line with Pavel Datsyuk for the most part.

Malkin today centered Ovechkin and Alexander Semin on Russia’s top line. Talk about the talent on that unit but it’s surely going to be a line that will lack two-way play.

Malkin has 5 goals and 7 assists in 10 career Olympic Games. Ovechkin has 7 goals and 2 assists in 12 career Olympic Games.

The pressure is huge on Russia and the million dollar question is whether Pavel Datsyuk will be able to give the Russian’s anything, let alone play at all.

Datsyuk is dealing with a significant groin injury. If Datsyuk plays at all, it’s expected he will play on the wing not center.