they won the last world cup (that's why they're seeded 1st). but russia always does well in world cup competitions and then goes belly up in the last olympics lol.
it's going to depend on their players, and a better indicator would probably be next season. geno had a good streak in the khl during the lockout but he's a little slow-going getting used to nhl ice/play style again. and then hockey in sochi will probably be played on big ice again so he'll have to get used to that again too but if he gets paired with kulemin and mozyakin hopefully it will be magical. and then ovie has to get used to his new coach.
it's going to depend on their players, and a better indicator would probably be next season. geno had a good streak in the khl during the lockout but he's a little slow-going getting used to nhl ice/play style again. and then hockey in sochi will probably be played on big ice again so he'll have to get used to that again too but if he gets paired with kulemin and mozyakin hopefully it will be magical. and then ovie has to get used to his new coach.