Top Shelf : Islanders Daily 2/23/2014

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The look on Jack Capuano‘s face in the picture to your left tells the story of a very frustrating season on Long Island.

One where expectations were not met and a team with talent suffered through a barrage of inconsistent play and injuries and is staring down the barrel of a bottom five finish after making the playoffs last year.

What we are expecting to see in the upcoming weeks are a sequence of events that could possibly re-shape the Islanders for the 2014-15 season, their last at the Nassau Coliseum before moving to Barclays Center in Brooklyn. And all indications are Capuano, on thin ice as bench boss of the team, is most certainly coaching for his job in these final 22 games.

As far as the lineup is concerned, Ryan Strome, Anders Lee and Matt Donovan are all expected to play prominent roles as the schedule winds down and we might even get a glimpse of Griffin Reinhart once his junior season is over. So while fans are rightfully upset with how the season has gone the only bright side is we get a good long look into the future and allow the young players time to develop and adapt to the pro game prior to September training camp.

Matt Martin is expected to return to practice this week and be ready for Thursday night against Toronto when the games begin again after the Sochi Olympics. Frans Nielsen is still about a week away as he continues to recover from a broken hand. And of course, the captain, John Tavares, will be out until camp with a torn meniscus and ligament in his left knee.

In Case You Missed It

• Take a roadtrip and share experiences with other passionate hockey fans (EOI)
• Tavares contract will, in fact, be covered by insurance (Newsday)
• Zetterberg likely out for the rest of the regular season (NY Times)
• Gold medal game officiating crew not making too many happy (USA Today)
• Why is Patrick Roy commenting on Russia’s performance anyway (NBC Sports)

In Sochi

• Finland 5, United States 0 (Finland wins bronze medal)

Today, 7am EST, Canada vs Sweden, Gold medal game (Canada 1, Sweden 0 after first period)

Across The Sound

The Sound Tigers continue to be absolutely red hot, winning again on a late Aaron Ness tally, 3-2 to run their streak to 10 of 12. The official game recap can be found right here.

The Sound Tigers return home to face the Providence Bruins Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. on Matt Martin Bobblehead Giveaway Day. The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a Matt Martin bobblehead doll, and the former Sound Tiger and current Islander will be on-hand for autographs following the game. (c/o Soundtigers.com)

NOTES (c/o soundtigers.com)

Winning Streak: The Sound Tigers are on a five-game winning streak, their longest of the 2013-14 season.

Shorthanded Prowess: The Sound Tigers have six shorthanded goals this season, though three of them have come in the last five games.

NHL Building: The Sound Tigers played in front of what was by far the biggest crowd they’ve seen this season. Attendance at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia was announced at 17,585