Islanders G DiPietro leaves game

Dec 27, 2007 - 5:56 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. The 26-year-old did not return and he will be evaluated on Thursday.

"(DiPietro) twisted it a little in warmups and he thought he would be able to go," Islanders coach Ted Nolan said. "When you're called upon, you have to ready and (Dubielewicz) was ready tonight."

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.