The start heard round world

It is official.  The New York Islanders All-Star goalie Rick DiPietro will be back between the pipes tonight for the first time in a VERY LONG time.

Who’s scared? Let’s face it, points are crucial right now for the New York Islanders and the playoff chase, however, getting Rick back for the long haul is more staying with the script that had started out in production during the pre-season.

Rick DiPietro got married, had a autograph session at the Islanders team store in Suffolk County, NY, even had a few appearances at the practice facility known as Ice Works but he was never on skates.

Little by little news broke about DiPietro, and the speculation began.  Tonight, that will all be put to rest as number 39 suits up and takes his trademark post between the pipes. It will be, as we all hope and pray, a very refreshing sign for both DiPietro and the New York Islanders.

If you read my article yesterday, you would have noticed that this was the proper way to go about handling these upcoming games and how to slide Ricky into a start.

The Stars, in my opinion, are the weaker team.  It is more of a safe bet to put Rick DiPietro into tonight’s contest then it would be tomorrow night in Phoenix.  Especially with Phoenix coming off a brutal defeat to the Vancouver Canucks last night. Dwayne Roloson is the option there.

Also, like I pointed out yesterday and unfortunately it’s a knock on Martin Biron but you are going to have a similar outcome giving either goalie the go between Biron and DiPietro.  The gamble is not as huge of a risk as if it would be in giving a kid a shot because of a Biron injury (hypothetical statement) and not wanting to ware down Roloson. Get the point?

Good.

The Islanders will still have a very tough task this evening with Dallas.  A bubble team at the moment, with lots of talent even with the loss of Mike Ribiero to the injured list. Marty Turco is a proven veteran who is a fantastic goaltender.  To top it all off, you are playing in their building. So the stage has been all set up and the story gets to continue tonight.

Tonight’s starting line up (subject to change):

Blake Comeau - John Tavares - Kyle Okposo
Matt Moulson – Frans Nielsen - Trent Hunter
Josh Bailey - Rob Schremp – Jon Sim
Nate Thompson - Doug Weight - Richard Park

Mark Streit - Brendan Witt
Jack Hillen - Andy Sutton
Bruno Gervais - Andrew MacDonald

Rick DiPietro

Scott Gordon is doing the right thing by using the same line up as he has been using.  It’s working so why fix something that is not broken. Kyle Okposo is starting to find his scoring touch it seems. The man of many shots is finding a way to finally get the puck into the back of the net. Quite deserving as well.

Gordon is also taking all the right steps with Tavares, who has started to slump big time.  He is not destroying his confidence by taking him off the top line, even if some of Tavares’ minutes are being cut.  There is no reason to panic. Let him develop.

The team is as healthy as it can be at this point in the season. There are some minor injures, a few bumps and bruises but nothing that can be overcome. The team is also playing well and gaining points, which is important in the playoff hunt that they are currently in.  The return of DiPietro could be a very big blessing in disguise.

There are many things that are yet to happen.  Will Rick be alright after tonight’s game? What if he wins? What if he stands on his head and replicates Roloson type performances from this season? Yes, this list of questions can go on for a while.  It is up to DiPietro to take the net tonight and dominate. The medical staff, and Rick himself both feel that there is no better time then now.  Anticipation and excitement all around Islanders nation tonight.