Ovechkin, Malkin Skate
Vancouver, British Columbia – Russia looks like it plans to make a change on Alex Ovechkin’s line against the Czechs.
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Ovechkin skated with winger Alexander Semin and center Evgeni Malkin, who appears to be replacing Pavel Datsyuk, during an intense practice Saturday.
Russia will play the Czech Republic on Sunday in its final preliminary-round game at the Vancouver Olympics. The Russians must win in regulation to finish first in Group B, but that wouldn’t necessarily give them a bye to the quarterfinals.
Russian general manager Vladislav Tretiak says goaltender Evgeni Nabokov will start against the Czechs.
Forward Sergei Fedorov says he will be in the lineup, joking he didn’t practice Friday because he needed rest and isn’t rusty.
Posted: 2/22/10 11:50PM ET