Top Shelf : Islanders Daily : 2/16/2014

The Winter Olympics in Sochi are wrapping up the preliminary round today as all teams will have played their three games.

The first place teams in each group automatically earn a bye through the first medal round with the second place teams battling for position. Team USA is currently leading 2-0 in the first period against Slovakia and after their thrilling shootout win yesterday against Russia, only needs to win to secure top spot in group A.

For Islanders at the Olympics, Michael Grabner continues to be totally unstoppable for Austria, albeit against inferior competition. He netted two more goals today against Norway, and also fired 7 shots on goal. Thomas Vanek has been silent on the scoresheet and John Tavares unremarkable but steady on a stacked Canadian team.

For the USA, there will be no more easy games after today as they have still yet to play the likes of Sweden, Czech Republic or Canada in the tournament. The Russia game certainly proved their mettle however and it would be an extreme disappointment if the team did not come home with a medal this year.

Back on Long Island, the winter break goes for another 4 days before players are permitted to resume using organizational facilities and getting back on the ice as the stretch run continues. With the league streaking to the March 5 trade deadline, you can be sure the Islanders will be prominent players as they will almost certainly be looking to sell off assets such as Vanek and Andrew MacDonald. Who knows if anyone else will be involved, but I would imagine unless the number 91, 21 or 3 is stitched on your sweater, you might not want to  unpack those boxes just yet and make yourself too comfortable.

Whatever happens, Eyes will have you covered for the NHLs blowout sale and beyond. Thanks for reading and sticking with us. We truly appreciate all the loyal support, even though we might not agree all the time on the various viewpoints and columns we post on the site.

For besides TJ Oshie and Jonathan Quick, that is what makes America great right? Nobody is right or wrong, but everybody can have an opinion and voice it respectfully. Well, that plus french toast and peanut butter and chocolate, but you know what I mean.

In Case You Missed It

• USA vs Russia live blogging (EOI)
• The book on Josh Bailey (EOI)
• John Tavares and his Olympic time to shine (EOI)
• Sound Tiger week in review (EOI)
• Islanders tweets of the week (EOI)
• Art Staple on the non-relationship between Vanek and Grabner prior to trade (Newsday)
• Strome tallies twice in AHL all-star game (NY Islanders)
• Dan Petriw catches up with Ryan Pulock (Hockey Buzz)

Around The Olympics

via Sochi2014.com

Across The Bridge

Matt Donovan collected two goals for the Sound Tigers as they defeat Springfield 5-2 on Saturday night. The official game recap can be found right here.

The Sound Tigers host the Albany Devils Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m., looking to make it wins eight of their last 10 games.

NOTES (per Soundtigers.com)
Moving Up the Leaderboard: Matt Donovan’s two goals now put him just one point behind Ben Walter for ninth all-time in Sound Tigers history.

Penalty Shot Goal: Ryan Strome’s penalty shot goal was the first for the Sound Tigers since Nino Niederreiter scored against Hershey on 11/13/11.

Sundstrom Scores: Johan Sundstrom’s goal was his first since he scored against St. John’s on 11/24. He missed nearly two months with an illness.