Up next: John Tavares, Rick DiPietro and the New York Islanders

by FrankD on Jan 19, 2010 12:00 PM EST in 2009-10 game previews

[SBN Islanders blog - Lighthouse Hockey]

Record: 22-19-8

Scorers: Kyle Okposo (10g, 23a), Matt Moulson (19g, 13a), John Tavares (17g, 14a)

Although the chances of Pittsburgh playing against Rick DiPietro are pretty unlikely, the fact that I can even type his name without using it as the punchline to a joke is the sole reason for his inclusion in the headline. The fabled goaltender and his highly ridiculed, multi-year contract is back in action for the Islanders and so far isn't off to a bad start. Actually it's pretty impressive and unlike anything anyone could have predicted. Healthy for the first time in what feels like years (or perhaps just bionic), DiPietro is 2-0 in two starts, his most recent a shutout win over the Devils last night.

Even though our friends over at Left Wing Lock have Dwayne Roloson etched in as the starter tonight, we can at least consider the notion that before the season is done Pittsburgh will play against DP. Barring an injury of course. In fact, rumor has it he was supposed to save last night's start for today but received the nod against the Devils last minute. Obviously it worked out to his advantage.

In case you haven't checked in on the standings as of late, the Islanders are currently riding a pretty hot streak into Mellon Arena tonight. So far for the month of January the Islanders are 6-1, already tying last month's win total and posting two shutouts along the way. Never mind that they still have seven more games to play to close out the month.

Who are these Islanders, what have they done to the team we all laughed at, and should the Penguins be worried?

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The Islanders only had 29 wins in all of last season, they already have 22 now, speaking to how much they’ve improved.

Everytime I see Matt Moulson play, the more I wish Pittsburgh would have held on to him. No one gets them all right, of course, but man he’d look good in a top 6 role in Pittsburgh.

Pensburgh.com

"I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two." -- Alexandre Daigle

by Hooks Orpik on Jan 19, 2010 12:07 PM EST reply actions

Tells you how good their front office has been over the last 5 years.

by Ulf Murphy on Jan 19, 2010 2:37 PM EST up reply actions

I cut them some slack…In this day and age it’s almost impossible to make trades, making it harder to turn a team around. You have to be bad for a while and get the young guys in (Okopso, Tavares, etc) before things get in the right direction.

Pensburgh.com

"I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two." -- Alexandre Daigle

by Hooks Orpik on Jan 19, 2010 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

I like Moulson, too. Amazing how much movement there’s been between the Penguins and the Islanders. I guess it’s no wonder that of the NY-area teams, I like the Isles the best. I’m really happy to see the improvement.

That said, I hope we destroy them just for tonight.

"Darling, you say Brooks Orpik 'checked' that guy. He did not 'get under him and put him into the wall'."--Beloved to me, Winter 2007

Cocktails With the Penguins, where Pens fans toast victories and drown defeats.

by GreenEyedLilo on Jan 19, 2010 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

Also Seth from Emptynetters says Brent Johnson to start tonight.

Pensburgh.com

"I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two." -- Alexandre Daigle

by Hooks Orpik on Jan 19, 2010 12:08 PM EST reply actions

I just hope that they are not rushing Johnson back.

by xaryss on Jan 19, 2010 2:19 PM EST up reply actions

…before the season is done Pittsburgh will play against DP. Barring an injury of course.

Heh, no doubt. For a little more: He has actually made three starts — his first a very rusty loss in Dallas where his lateral movement was suspect. He’s looked good the last two wins, but the Isles played so well he actually didn’t have that much work. Still, the early returns have been far better than expected.

Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.

by Dominik on Jan 19, 2010 1:59 PM EST reply actions