Rick DiPietro

Preview:  The New York Islanders return home to Nassau Coliseum to take on their all-time rival, the New York Rangers. 

The Islanders are coming off a western road trip which saw them give up a 3 goal lead in an overtime loss to the Avalanche, and a clinic put on by the Canucks in a loss to Vancouver.  The Islanders have played better hockey since changing up their offensive lines a few games ago, putting up more scoring chances more consistently.  However, they haven’t been able to translate the better play into wins.  A win tonight against the Rangers would mean even more than usual, as it would end a slide of losing efforts. 

The Rangers ...

“And with the first overall selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the New York Islanders are proud to select John Tavares.” 

After months of speculation leading up to the 2009 NHL draft, the Islanders rewarded their fan base after a long and painful season by using the first pick to select the longtime #1 ranked player in the draft.  It has been said that when top prospects remain at the top of a draft board for a long period of time, analysts tend to search so hard for their flaws that when they finally find one, it becomes significantly over exaggerated. 

So it was with Tavares, who was ranked at the top of his draft class since about age 14. ...

The Islanders halted their 5 game losing streak, defeating the Capitals by a score of 5-3.  PA Parenteau added the go-ahead goal with under 2 minutes to play, and John Tavares added an empty netter to seal the victory for the home team.

Coach Jack Capuano finally decided to try new line combinations to spark the offense, and the players responded in a big way.  It took a period to find their in-game chemistry, but Capuano’s new look Isles came up big in the final 40 minutes of play. 

The Capitals jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Frans Neilsen added a goal early in the second period to cut the lead in half.  Neilsen took a shot from just inside the blue...

Depending on who you speak to after a game, you might find someone who is very eager to say that the refs cost the home team a game. But in regards to last night's Islanders game against the Sharks, that person might be right.

The New York Islanders decided to honor the 1992-1993 team prior to puck drop, with several memorable players making their way onto the ice. Such players included Benoit Hogue, Mick Vukota, Darius Kasparitis, Vladimir Malakhov and of course, Pierre Turgeon. Al Arbour could not be in attendance but had a recorded video air on the overhead to try to inspire the current squad while paying their respects to a team that many thought would make their way to the ...