SOCHI, Russia – Gabriel Landeskog was a 13-year-old kid in Stockholm standing on his couch and cheering emphatically when Henrik Lundqvist helped secure gold for the Swedes at the 2006 Olympics in Italy. Wayne Ellington Jersey . "My dad was kind of yelling at me to sit down and relax," recalled Landeskog, now 21 and a member of the Swedish Olympic squad here in Sochi. "Im like what do you mean, sit down and relax? We just won the Olympics!" Prominent in those memories for the budding Colorado Avalanche captain was the performance of a then-23-year-old Lundqvist, who stopped 25 shots in the final with Finland, preserving the second Olympic gold for Sweden. "He pretty much singlehandedly won that final game," said Landeskog of the 3-2 victory. Hes known as the King and stands as perhaps the biggest obstacle to a gold repeat for Team Canada at these Olympics. Not only the face and cornerstone of the New York Rangers and one of the top goaltenders in the NHL, Lundqvist makes a strong case as one of the best Olympic goaltenders ever and a major obstacle for the Canadians in Sundays 94 gold medal rematch with Sweden. "Hes a tough guy to beat," said Rick Nash, a teammate of Lundqvist with the Rangers, but an opponent with gold on the line. Unbeaten in Russia (5-0-0), Lundqvist enters the afternoon affair at Bolshoy Ice Dome with the second-most career wins by an Olympic goaltender – trailing only the great Vladislav Tretiak with 17 – and the second-best career goals against average (1.71). He made 25 saves Friday, including all eight in the final frame, to preserve victory for the Swedes in their semifinal matchup with Finland. "Hank has been playing unbelievable for us," said Erik Karlsson afterward. "In that part, we feel pretty confident." And in a one game scenario for all the marbles that can be the difference. Sweden may not boast anywhere near the talent of Canada – especially with injuries to Henrik Sedin, Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen – but they might not need it if Lundqvist delivers a masterpiece. "He can stand on his head for us," said captain Nicklas Kronwall. "Thatd be good." Led by Carey Price, who has sizzled in his first test on the Olympic stage, the Canadians have had no trouble defending here in Russia, but scoring has been another matter. They managed (and ultimately needed) just a single marker against Jonathan Quick and the Americans in the semifinal and have scored a mere four goals in the past nine regulation periods. Chances have been aplenty, but few have ended up in the back of the net, a concern when Lundqvist lies on the horizon at the top of his game. "I get to see him every day," said Nash of the soon-to-be 31-year-old, a winner in 12 of 14 Olympic starts. "Hes a guy that plays kind of a different style – deep in his net. Hes a tough guy to figure out even when you shoot on him every day. He doesnt play like regular goalies." And he seemingly doesnt prepare like regular goalies either. Swedish teammates have been struck by the preparation of the 2012 Vezina Trophy winner. "Im really impressed the way he prepares for the games off the ice and how hes mentally prepared for each game," said Niklas Hjalmarsson. "To see his preparation has been pretty impressive and the way hes been playing has obviously helped our team a lot." "You dont want to bother him game-days," Jonathan Ericsson observed. "You see that hes in his own bubble." Ericsson described Lundqvist as "standing, focusing and doing his own thing". Winning 10 of his final 14 starts with the Rangers before the Olympic break with a sparkling .937 save percentage, Lundqvist has picked up right where he left off in Sochi, stopping 117 of 123 shots in a perfect run for Sweden. He is a barrier that Canada will have to overcome to claim a second consecutive gold and third in the past four Olympics. "He makes saves that you think you have an open net and he finds a way to smother that puck," said Patrick Sharp. "Hes definitely a guy thats going to be key for them." Kelly Olynyk Jersey . Then Klay Thompson put his foot on the gas. Thompson scored 19 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter and Harrison Barnes scored 14 points in his season debut to help the Golden State Warriors to a 106-93 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Chris Bosh Jersey . After a first half in which he thought "the lid was on the basket," the Toronto Raptors coach watched his squad mount a second half surge to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-91. http://www.basketballheatshop.com/Cheap-Edrice-Adebayo-Heat-Jersey/ . 1 Pete Sampras. Speaking ahead of an exhibition match against Andre Agassi in London on March 3, Sampras said on a conference call Wednesday that he is impressed by Federers longevity.Ahead of Thursdays Premier League Play-off night, live on Sky Sports 2, Rod Studd remembers when Michael van Gerwen faced Phil Taylor in the 2013 final. Van Gerwen lines up against Adrian Lewis in the opening match of this weeks Play-Off night, while Taylor takes on defending champion Gary Anderson in the other semi-final at The O2, live on Sky Sports 2.The Premier Leagues top two players could meet again in the final, just a week after Van Gerwens win in Rotterdam, and Studd recalls a thrilling final encounter between the pair... Taylor v Van Gerwen, 2013 Premier League final at The O2I think the 2013 final between Van Gerwen and Taylor was probably the most defining darts match of the Premier League era.The reason I say that is because Phil had clung onto his title that year by beating Van Gerwen, but Michael was hot on his heels, so they were clearly the big two players. During Van Gerwens first ever season in the Premier League, they had drawn in their first match and then he defeated Taylor later in the competition. Here they were, the big two, and it was for the heavyweight darts championship of the world at that time. Rod Studd Here they were, the big two, and it was for the heavyweight darts championship of the world at that time. The winner could claim he was the best player. There was that little between them and there was little separating them on the scoreboard as well.Taylor made a brilliant start, hitting a 13-darter, a 14-darter, and led 5-2. But he missed doubles crucially in legs nine and 10, allowing Van Gerwen to pounce and get back to 5-5. Michael then made it five legs on the trot to go 7-5 in front, again with The Power missing darts at doubles. Phil Taylor had a message for Michael van Gerwen after their Premier League draw on night seven of 20116 season Phil trimmed it back to 7-6 and the match appeared to be turning in his favour in the 14th leg when Van Gerwen decided not to go for the bullseye, leaving Taylor a shot at 160, which he duly took out. Tyler Johnson Jersey. ayne Mardle was on commentary and memorably said: You shouldnt play mind games with the master!Van Gerwen shrugged it off quite quickly, going 9-7 up, but there was a further twist in the 17th leg when he missed two darts at double eight for the title and Taylor hit double top, last dart in hand, to make it 9-8. Michael van Gerwen won his only Premier League title after a thrilling final with Phil Taylor in 2013 Taylor had the darts in the 18th leg, which had he held throw, would have gone into a last-leg decider. He played a brilliant leg, leaving double top again after 12 darts.It felt like Taylor was about to prove he was still the old master, but Van Gerwen completed a fantastic 132 finish.Still three years on, that lives long in the memory of Michael van Gerwen. Not because its a roof-raising finish, but due to the significance, the circumstance of the match and who he was playing. Van Gerwen celebrates with Premier League trophy You would be a brave man to say it will definitely be Van Gerwen and Taylor again in Thursdays final, because whatever combination we get - were guaranteed three brilliant matches at The O2.Watch the Premier League Darts play-offs from The O2 Arena tonight at 7pm, Sky Sports 2. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV. 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