Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins' Malkin will be expected to lead the Russian attack in Sochi, where the pressure will be on for the host nation to deliver a first ice hockey Olympic title under the Russian flag since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Although Russian players tasted Olympic glory a year later at Albertville 1992, they played as part of the Unified Team with players from other members of the former Soviet bloc under the Olympic flag.

Prior to this, the Soviet Union had claimed seven ice hockey gold medals at Winter Olympics from 1956 to 1988.

At Vancouver 2010, the Russian squad went into the tournament with high expectations of bringing back a medal but were outclassed by eventual winners Canada in the quarterfinals.

Ovechkin, one of the star players of the NHL, will be hoping to avoid a repeat of that performance four years ago as he competes in his third Winter Olympics and revealed his pride and excitement at being selected to compete on home ice.

"It means a lot and I am very proud for me and my family," said the 28-year-old.

"It's exciting and you can see right now that all the media talk about are the Olympic Games.

"And to get to represent your country at the Games is unbelievable."

Alexander Ovechkin is expected to be one the main men for Russia as they look to claim Olympic gold at Sochi 2014 ©Getty Images