Rick DiPietro

Isles Can't Strike Lightning Twice

October 21, 2011

In their first road game of the season, the New York Islanders dropped a 4-1 decision to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Islanders fall to 3-2 on the season.

Much speculation was made leading up to the game as the team announced Rick DiPietro would be making the road trip to Florida with the team. Evgeni Nabokov was coming off an excellent game against the rival Rangers, and Al Montoya sported one of the top GAA’s and Save Percentages in the NHL.

Coach Jack Capuano gave Montoya the nod, and Montoya looked sharp at times when he was tested. While Montoya did not play poorly in this game, perhaps only the fourth and final goal would be one that he woul...

IT'S GAMEDAY! Islanders @ Tampa: Isles Look to Grab 4th Straight Win

October 20, 2011

Evan Pivnick

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The Islanders travel to Tampa to take on the Lightning tonight after a stretch of five days without a game. In their last bout, the Isles defeated the Bolts by the score of 5-1. A game which triggered John Tavares’ recent scoring outburst, putting up two goals and two assists in that victory.

Coach Jack Capuano announced yesterday that he would be bringing all three goaltenders on the road trip. Considering Rick DiPietro is recovering from a concussion, this is a good sign that he will be returning soon. As for the other two goaltenders, Coach Capuano has yet to announce who will be in goal tonight.

He could start Al Montoya and his glistening goals against average of 1....

Thank You, Rick DiPietro

October 18, 2011

Brian Bock

3 Comments

A letter of thanks to our "Goalie for Life"

Dear Rick DiPietro,

It has been an emotional rollercoaster since that fateful day in June, 2000 when we made you our first overall draft pick.

Our relationship has gone through phases: anxious excitement to see you establish yourself as our number one goalie, the satisfaction of seeing you rise to being an All Star (and telling Rangers fans how much better you were than Henrik Lundqvist), the despair of watching you be injured, the frustration of watching you have setback after setback on your way back to the net, to where we are today.

Today Rick, we write you to tell you that we are si...

IT'S GAMEDAY: Isles Look To Bounce Back From Opening Night Loss

October 10, 2011

Evan Pivnick

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After a very disappointing loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday, the Islanders look to rebound on Monday for a matinée game against the Minnesota Wild. The Wild kicked off their season on Saturday night by defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets, 4-2.

The Wild now will travel to Long Island Monday with their newly acquired weapon, Dany Heatley, who tallied a goal and an assist in his season debut on Saturday night. Heatley was aquired on July 3rd, from the San Jose Sharks, this offseason along with his former Sharks teammate Devin Setoguchi.

Always a weapon for Minnesota, goaltender Niklas Backstrom, who looks to obtain his second victory in two tries on Monday. Backstrom, wh...

Islanders vs. Panthers - Opening Night

October 7, 2011

Brian Bock

1 Comment

Preview: An opening night battle between last year's overall 27th and 28th best teams - the New York Islanders and the Florida Panthers. However with opening night comes the promise of new hope, a fresh start, and in the case of the Islanders and Panthers, a lot to be excited about.

The Islanders are opening their 40th season in franchise history and have set their goals high. GM Garth Snow has stated that the goal is for the team to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 4 seasons. The team is also looking for their first playoff series victory in 18 seasons.

The Islanders offseason was relatively quiet following a furious finish last season, whe...

And The Islanders Will Finish In....

September 20, 2011

Rob McGowan

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The New York Islanders are in the middle of training camp; plenty of fresh faces are looking to surprise the coaching staff and crack the line-up while a few other seasoned and whithered faces look to continue their NHL career with an impressive tryout.

But what everyone is hoping for is a successful season that will result in the Islanders FINALLY making the playoffs after the slow and steady rebuild began three seasons ago.

Let's take a look at some of the major events that have transpired in Islanders country during the off-season thus far:

1. General Manager Garth Snow re-signed Kyle Okposo and Michael Grabner to five-year contract extensions at an affordable pri...

The Story of Seven: Isles in Net

August 26, 2011

Benjamin J. Rosado

3 Comments

When the call comes some answer and some don't. Rick DiPietro, Dwayne Roloson, Kevin Poulin, Nathan Lawson, Mikko Koskinen, Evgeni Nabokov, and Al Montoya. Six men answered last season, but will that seventh man be the lucky one this time around? The big question for 2011-12 season will be on that seventh man, Evgeni Nabokov. The Islanders have seen some hard times in the paint. Last season started off with the double dragons DiPietro and Roloson taking the reigns in net. With the injury prone DiPietro sidelined Kevin Poulin and Nathan Lawson of the Soundtigers earned some valuable NHL experience. But an unfortunate pregame knee injury ended Kevin Poulin's season ea...