Today's men's hockey semifinals at a glance
Czech Republic vs. Sweden (10:35 a.m., MSNBC)
CZECH REPUBLIC (3-3)
Names you already knew: Goalie Dominik Hasek played just under 10 minutes of one game, got hurt, and went home, but Jaromir Jagr has provided enough star power with two goals and three assists. Martin Straka, fourth in the NHL in assists with the Rangers, has five here.
Name you should know by now: Milan Hnilicka is the only Czech not playing in the NHL. He took over in net for the 3-1 win over Slovakia in the quarterfinals.
Outlook: With Hasek gone, they've found a way to get it done, and won an emotional game against Slovakia in the quarterfinals.
SWEDEN (4-2)
Names you already knew: P.J. Axelsson has 4 points, third on the team behind Daniel Alfredsson and Mats Sundin.
Name you should know by now: Jorgen Jonsson is on his third Olympic team for the Swedes but only managed one season in the NHL (1999-2000 with the Islanders and Mighty Ducks). He's never won a medal.
Outlook: They've gotten the easiest draw so far, knocking off the surprising Swiss in the quarterfinals to get a game against the Czechs. This could be the year they get their first medal since the gold in 1994, but a silver may be more likely.
Russia vs. Finland (3:05 p.m., USA)
RUSSIA (5-1-0)
Names you already knew: They've got plenty of them, such as Washington rookie sensation Alexander Ovechkin (five goals) or Detroit center Pavel Datsyuk (one goal, seven assists). San Jose goalie Evgeni Nabokov has allowed just two goals in five games.
Name you should know by now: Evgeni Malkin was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2004 NHL draft (Pittsburgh) but he's been playing for Magnitogorsk in the Motherland, where he's been tearing it up with 37 points in 34 games before the Olympic break. The lefthanded-shooting center has done it here, too, with 6 points (two goals).
Outlook: Ovechkin has blossomed into one of the most electrifying players in the world and Nabokov has been solid between the pipes. They're peaking at the perfect time.
FINLAND (6-0)
Names you already knew: Anaheim's Teemu Selanne (six goals, three assists) and Montreal's Saku Koivu (two goals, seven assists) are ranked 2-3 in scoring in Turin.
Name you should know by now: Antero Niittymaki (4-0) has shown his fast start in net as a rookie for Philadelphia has been no fluke.
Outlook: The Finns have played Russia five times since 1994 and have come up 0 for 5. It will be a key to see if the defense can slow down the Russian offense.
REID LAYMANCE 
