Do the Islanders remember who this guy is above? What he did to take the Islanders into the playoffs?
According to a New York Newsday report, Rick DiPietro has been cleared to play by doctors.
He will skate in a full practice today with the team.
I am actually very surprised at this, I think that they're rushing Rick DiPietro back way too quickly.
I just don't get what the problem is with Dubielewicz's play?
He played well last night in New York's 4-1 loss, he made 31 saves and was key for the Islanders in that final stretch while replacing Rick DiPietro.
Jesus, the guy endures 2 concussions in one month and he's already back, I think this is a panic move on the Islanders' part, they probably think they don't have a chance to beat the Sabres with Dubielewicz in net.
This is deja-vu all over again.
Remember when Cristobal Huet was rushed into play, 2 months after undergoing surgery for a torn hamstring last Saturday in Toronto?
Huet was obviously rusty and played shakily in a 6-5 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs which proved to be the difference maker in the Canadiens' run to make the playoffs.
Jaroslav Halak was riding hot but played "ordinarily" in game 80 for Montreal against the Rangers (3-1 loss), Wade Dubielewicz was playing great and he gives up a weak goal against the Sabres...yes, that means it's time to rush Rick DiPietro back into the net.
Now tell me: why is it that the backup goalies who have been called up from the minors and have suddenly played spectacularly are being completely degraded here.
There is no need to rush DiPietro back, he'll probably have a rusty game and cost the Islanders Game 2 as well, and to think that 2 days ago every living being in the media kept saying how Rick DiPietro was down and out.
Dubielewicz deserves to start Game 2, and possibly Game 3 depending on his play.
Right now, it's simple for Ted Nolan and his GM: "Play the hot hand".
They're just making this complicated for themselves...
My God, have they forgotten Wade Duielewicz COMPLETELY?
"No, there's no decision there at all," Nolan said when asked about who would start Game 2. "We'll make that decision when [the time comes], but we know exactly what the decision will be when Ricky comes back."
He was not to blame for last night's loss...the Islanders didn't play well at all, I think they forgot it was a playoff game...oh yeah? Just take a look at their shot total: a measly 21.
It is not yet known if DiPietro will play Game 2, but if he does, hold your breath...and no, I haven't forgotten his marvelous season.
Maybe they think that they'll have a better chance to win with DiPietro in net, but I think otherwise, especially right now.
If the Islanders want to win, they have to shoot more and be more consistent on offence. They can't just sit back and play defence...IT'S THE PLAYOFFS!
If they think their chances of winning are better with DiPietro in goal, they thought wrong.
-The Flames put up a poor performance last night and lost to the Wings 4-1.
Miikka Kipprusoff is not looking like the heroic goalie that made stupendous saves when needed for Calgary in their previous playoff runs.
Penalties were key to the game, as Calgary took one penalty after another and fell to a botomless pit that went by the name of Detroit.
The Wings lead 1-0, and I can see them knocking this Alberta team off this time around.
-The Sabres breezed by Ted Nolan's squad, 4-1 last night.
Arron Asham scored the only goal for the Islanders on a pretty 2-on-1 setup by Jason Blake, and that was the only shot that mattered for New York last night.
They only got 21 shots on net and Ryan Miller could've won this thing with his eyes shut.
Tim Cononlly had a good game, Dainius Zubrus is finally producing offensively with a 3 assist night.
-Atlanta loses their first ever playoff game, 4-3 to the Rangers who won their first ever playoff game since 1997.
After being swept by the Devils in the first round of the playoffs last season, the Rangers put up a W for the first time since 1997...
Jaromir Jagr was miserable, despite scoring the Rangers' first goal:
"I don't like to score the first goal," Jagr said. "That gives me bad luck. I scored the first goal this year and I struggled. I hate that."
I didn't know that, that's nice to know!
Pascal Dupuis haunts his former team (the one he spent less than a week with) and scores a goal for Atlanta, he's been a great pickup by Don Waddell!
Michal Roszival, Marcel Hossa and Michael Nylander helped out Jagr and scored the other 3 Ranger goals.
Eric Belanger, another good acquisition, scored a powerplay goal late in the first period and defenceman Shane Hnidy scored the other goal for the Thrashers.
After Tomas Pock took a holding the stick penalty with about 1 minute to go, the Thrashers came oh-so-close to overtime as (I can't recall who) hit the post.
-Goalie woes continue for John Tortorella's team; Devils top the Lightning 5-3.
Vincent Lecavalier and Zach Parise each scored twice for their teams, the Lightning blew a chance to tie with about 6 minutes remaining by not capitalizing on Devils penalties.
Johan Holmqvist put the game out of reach by making a pad save on Patrik Elias and then promptly passing the puck to his surprised defenceman, who wasn't ready for that, Scott Gomez picked the puck up, made a move and passed to an open Gionta in front of the crease who insured the Devils of their 5-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
