Alex Ovechkin hopes for better play from Team Russia

CRANBERRY, Pa. --Alex Ovechkin knows the importance of the World Cup of Hockey 2016, and how a win could re-establish Team Russia's international reputation.
"It's the same level [as the Olympics]," Ovechkin said Tuesday after practice at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. "Of course it's not the Olympic Games. It's the World Cup. But the players, the atmosphere, the skill is there. All the best players came here to play against each other. So it's a fun time and it's a great time."

After failing to medal in the each of the past three Winter Olympics, Ovechkin hopes Team Russia can avoid a similar disappointment when the World Cup begins at Air Canada Centre in Toronto on Saturday.
"I think the Russian people understand it's not the Olympic Games, it's the World Cup," Ovechkin said. "Obviously the World Cup is important. … It just shows how we have to prepare for the future."
Ovechkin was held without a point in Team Russia's first two pretournament games; its third and final one is against Team Canada at Consol Energy Center on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN2, SN, TVA Sports).
Despite Team Russia's rivalry with Team Canada, which split its first two pretournament games against Team USA, Ovechkin doesn't view the game any differently than he would another pretournament game. However, he did say he sees the added value of playing one of the World Cup's top teams.
"We play against Canada all the time, so it's a great opportunity for us to win some games," Ovechkin said. "[Wednesday] is going to be an exhibition game, but it's important for us too. Show speed and be intense. See the system, how they play. And again, it's smaller ice. Right now it's weird for us to feel the difference. We haven't had a game yet on the small ice."

Ovechkin said he feels Team Russia's performance in its first two pretournament games has been a mixed bag. After defeating Team Czech Republic, 4-3, on Sept. 8, it lost, 2-1, in a shootout in a rematch two days later.
Ovechkin has been limited to three shots on goal in the two pretournament games. Fellow high-scoring center Evgeni Malkin also has no points and three shots on goal through two games.
Malkin said Sunday that he doesn't see that inefficiency carrying into the tournament.
"It's a new challenge for the national team," he said. "We have a great team right now. We know everyone is looking forward to the first game."
Ovechkin hopes to see improvement Wednesday, Team Russia's last game before the tournament starts. Team Russia's first World Cup game is against Team Sweden on Sunday (3 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVA Sports).
"I think all the teams have a lot of skill," Ovechkin said. "It depends on how we're going to play or how the different teams are going to play. The most important thing is we have to have a good start every game. Don't give different teams the chance to get a lead."