Oleg Znarok's men faced unexpectedly stiff resistance in the final from an inspired German squad, who upset Canada in the semifinals.
It took a last-minute equalizer and a winner in sudden-death overtime to bring home Russia's first Olympic gold since 1992.
© Sputnik / Aleksander Vilf / Go to the mediabankCelebrations on the ice immediately after Kaprizov's winner.
Celebrations on the ice immediately after Kaprizov's winner.
© Sputnik / Aleksander Vilf / Go to the mediabankLeft to right: Sergey Kalinin, Nikita Nesterov (Russia) and David Wolf (Germany).
Left to right: Sergey Kalinin, Nikita Nesterov (Russia) and David Wolf (Germany).
Russian fan cheering at the final.
Russia's locker room during intermission.
The official puck of the final.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Pesnya / Go to the mediabankLeft to right: Felix Schutz (Germany) and Ivan Telegin (Russia).
Left to right: Felix Schutz (Germany) and Ivan Telegin (Russia).
Russian fan celebrating a goal.
© Sputnik / Aleksander Vilf / Go to the mediabankLeft to right: Germany's Patrick Hager and Brooks Macek celebrate scoring.
Left to right: Germany's Patrick Hager and Brooks Macek celebrate scoring.
Russian fans
Russia's huddle during an intermission.
© Sputnik / Aleksander Vilf / Go to the mediabankLeft to right: Nikolay Prokhorkin (russia) and Dominik Kahun (Germany).
Left to right: Nikolay Prokhorkin (russia) and Dominik Kahun (Germany).
Nikita Gusev (left) celebrates scoring.
© Sputnik / Aleksander Vilf / Go to the mediabankLeft to right Dominik Kahun, Yasin Ehliz and Frank Mauer (Germany) celebrate scoring.
Left to right Dominik Kahun, Yasin Ehliz and Frank Mauer (Germany) celebrate scoring.
© Sputnik / Aleksander Vilf / Go to the mediabankLeft to right: Sergey Shirokov and Sergey Kalinin (Russia).
Left to right: Sergey Shirokov and Sergey Kalinin (Russia).
German fan celebrates scoring.
Nikolay Prokhorkin (right) facing off.
Kirill Kaprizov meets fans.
© Sputnik / Aleksander Vilf / Go to the mediabankMarcel Goc immediately after Kaprizov's winning shot.
Marcel Goc immediately after Kaprizov's winning shot.
Russian fans celebrate score.
© Sputnik / Aleksander Vilf / Go to the mediabankCelebrations on the ice immediately after Kaprizov's winner.
Celebrations on the ice immediately after Kaprizov's winner.
Players pose for cameras at the medal ceremony.