Without the NHL, Russia emerges as favorite for Olympic gold

FILE - Kunlun Red Star Beijing players look at a scoreboard during the Kontinental Hockey League ice hockey match between Kunlun Red Star Beijing and Amur Khabarovsk in Mytishchi, just outside Moscow, Russia, Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. China will take part in the men’s hockey tournament at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing after initial concerns that the team would be embarrassed on home ice against NHL-level competition. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

Finland's Sekari Manninen, centre, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the Channel One Cup ice hockey match between Russia and Finland in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Finland's goalie Harri Sateri makes a save as Russia's Vyacheslav Voynov, 2nd right, tries to score during the Channel One Cup ice hockey match between Russia and Finland in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Russia's Vyacheslav Voynov, centre, bottom, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the Channel One Cup ice hockey match between Russia and Finland in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)