Pool A

United States
Russia
Slovakia
Slovenia

In Pool A,  arguably the most well balanced pool of the three, the U.S., Russia and Slovakia are all considered medal contenders.

Slovenia, making its first appearance in Olympic hockey and possessing only one NHL player—Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings—is considered a longshot to win a single game.

Of the remaining three teams, Russia is obviously on its home soil, and is receiving substantial pressure to win gold for the first time since 1992, which is its longest drought without an Olympic gold medal since the sport was first introduced to the country after World War II.

But despite its drought, on its home soil, Russia is the closest thing to a favorite in Pool A, although the gap—if there even is a gap—between itself and both the U.S. and Slovakia is minor.

The U.S., in fact, has done better in the Olympics than the Russians have since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and should be able to go toe-to-toe with Russia, even in Russia.

Slovakia, long considered an occasionally overlooked, but potential Olympic darkhorse, may be the X-Factor. Slovakia has as talented of players—such as Zdeno Chara and Marian Hossa—as there are in the world, but in a country of only 5.4 million people, may have a depth issue that gets exploited due to the injuries of star scorer Marian Gaborik and veteran defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky, who are both considered unlikely to be healthy for the Games.

However, it would not be a shock if either the U.S., Russia or Slovakia won Pool A.