In one of the more highly anticipated preliminary round match-ups in the men's 2014 Winter Olympic hockey tournament, the U.S. hockey team prepares to face the Russian squad, who playing in front of their home crowd, renewing an old rivalry that goes back to the Cold War.

The U.S.- Russia hockey game is such a marquee match-up despite it being a preliminary Pool A game, lacking the urgency of the quarterfinals, that Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to be in attendance.

"I think the atmosphere is going to be out of this world in that building," said St. Louis Blues team captain C David Backes, who plays for Team USA. "It's very tight with the crowd right on top of you. The fans as enthusiastic as they've been at the Olympics so far. They love their hockey and I'm sure it's going to be a rowdy, rowdy crowd. You look forward to that; you also look forward to playing against some of the most skilled players in the world, and they've got a long list of them on that team."

Both teams won their opening match-ups, with the US thumping Slovakia 7-1 on Thursday while Russia held off first-time Olympic squad Slovenia 5-2 that same day. The US is atop the Pool A standings due to goal differential, with Russia trailing behind them. The match-up is key for both teams, as the winner of the division gets a quarterfinals bye while the second place team must play an extra game.

"It's important," said Ilya Kovalchuk, who previously played LW for the National Hockey League's (NHL) New Jersey Devils and currently plays for SKA Saint Petersburg of Russsia's Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). "We were very excited for the tournament because it's at home; it's a special event for us for sure, but some guys, it was their first experience in the Olympic Games, so that takes a little nervousness, too. The first game is always important to win, but the second game -- we're going to play against U.S. -- It's a great opportunity to test ourselves. It'll be a great challenge for us."

Team USA will continue to go with Los Angeles Kings G Jonathan Quick in front of the net against Russia. Quick started against Slovakia and gets the nod over Buffalo Sabres G Ryan Miller, who had a great outing in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

"He's a great goalie," said US head coach Dan Bylsma. "Jonathan Quick is a goalie who has guided his team to a Stanley Cup and was a huge factor and a guy who in the past 12 games in the last month, has a goals-against just a shade over two and .918 save percentage, which are great numbers."

Miller, who won a silver in Vancouver and the tournament Most Valuable Player award, has shown great leadership in helping Quick adjust to the pace of international hockey, with Quick having made his Olympic debut appearance on Thursday after making the squad in 2010 as the third-string goaltender.

"I want this team to succeed and I'm seeing things within the game that are different than the NHL," said Miller. "To win over here, it's a little bit different read."

Quick has been very appreciative of Miller's advice, who is adjusting, in a trial-by-fire, to a larger ice surface, learning as he plays throughout the tournment.

"We have a good relationship," said Quick. "We talk about plays, usually during TV timeouts if I'm down in his end, we talk things over in the locker room. He's constantly been helping me when he sees something and that's great. Any help you can get you'll take, especially in a tournament like this."

Quick will have his hands full against the speedy Russian team, who have the most dangerous attack going into the tournament, featuring Pittsburgh Penguins C Evgeni Malkin, who is playing with Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin and Carolina Hurricane Alexander Semin on the first line, while the second line features Detroit Red Wings Pavel Datsyuk playing alongside KHL's CSKA Moscow Alexander Radulov and Kovalchuk.

"We want to keep the puck out of the Russians' hands," said Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter, who will be vital for Team USA in defending against the Russian lightening quick offensive onslaught. "They are a threat every time they get the puck, against top teams, you want to keep the puck in their zone and make them defend."

Live Stream, Schedule & Scores
Coverage of Unites States vs. Russia will start at 7:30 a.m. EST on NBC Sports while live streaming feed will be available on NBC Extra. Scores, statistics and updates are available on ESPN Sports.