Islanders G DiPietro leaves game

Dec 27, 2007 - 2:00 AM UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Islanders' organization may be holding their breath for a day.

Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro left Wednesday's contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first period with a knee injury. He will not return and he will be evaluated on Thursday.

The 26-year-old netminder was replaced by Wade Dubielewicz.

DiPietro, who was the first overall selection in the 2000 draft, received a league-record 15-year contract worth $67.5 million on September 12, 2006. Such a long deal was considered very risky if DiPietro were to suffer a long-term injury.

The six-year veteran entered Wednesday's game with a 16-13-2 record with a 2.44 goals-against average and two shutouts this season. In his career, DiPietro is 106-94-8-16 with 13 shutouts.

DiPietro became the youngest goaltender in NHL history to record 30 wins in a season in 2005-06. He is coming off the best campaign of his career, going 32-19-9 with a 2.58 GAA and a career-high five shutouts last season.