Islanders G DiPietro returns vs. Maple Leafs

Dec 27, 2008 - 3:44 AM UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) - Mired in a 10-game losing streak, the New York Islanders received a boost from the return of starting goaltender Rick DiPietro.

After a two-month absence, DiPietro stopped 28 shots and added an assist as the Islanders snapped their skid with a 4-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday.

The Islanders activated DiPietro prior to Friday's game and optioned goaltender Yann Danis to Bridgeport of the American Hockey League.

DiPietro was back in net for the first time October 25 against Carolina and was sharp in just his third appearance of the season. The franchise goaltender had missed the last 27 games due to a knee injury that required surgery. He took some shots during the two-day Christmas break and decided to return.

"Anyone that knows me knows patience isn't one of my virtues," DiPietro said. "It makes you realize how much you miss the game."

DiPietro collected his 14th career assist of the season 3:47 into the contest when rookie Kyle Okposo took a clearing pass, skated up ice and put a shot from a sharp angle toward the net that deflected off goaltender Vesa Toskala and into the net. It was the third goal of the season for Okposo and first since November 13.

The Islanders went 8-16-3 without DiPietro and were saddled with the NHL's worst record at 10-21-3 prior to Friday's victory.

New York had gone nearly a month since its last victory, a 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators on November 29.