Islanders G DiPietro makes first start

Oct 18, 2008 - 11:19 PM SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) -- New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro made his first start of the season on Saturday against the Florida Panthers.

DiPietro, 27, has served as the backup for the first four games of the season while recovering from offseason knee and hip surgeries. The six-year veteran posted a 26-28-7 record with three shutouts and a 2.82 goals-against average in 63 games last campaign.

Drafted first overall in 2000, DiPietro signed a 15-year, $67.5 million contract with New York in 2006.