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DiPietro returns as Islanders host Panthers

Jan 3, 2008 - 1:30 PM Florida (18-19-3) at NY Islanders (20-16-2) 7:00 pm EST

UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) - Rick DiPietro will be back in the crease for the New York Islanders when they host the Florida Panthers on Thursday.

DiPietro missed the last three games after spraining his left knee on December 26, but Wade Dubielewicz performed well in his absence. Dubielewicz went 3-1-0 with a 2.40 goals-against average since DiPietro suffered his injury.

Part of Dubielewicz's success was because of the Islanders' resurgent offense, which scored 15 goals over its past four games. New York, which has tallied an NHL-low 95 goals this season, is 8-0-0 when scoring four or more goals in a game.

The 26-year-old DiPietro, who has posted a 16-13-2 record with two shutouts this season, hopes to capitalize on the Islanders' new offensive prowess.

New York's offense will not have it easy playing a goaltender that has had its number recently. Tomas Vokoun is 6-2-0 with a 1.85 GAA and two shutouts in his career against the Islanders.

In the clubs earlier meeting this season, Vokoun turned in one of his best performances, making 25 saves in a 3-0 victory for the Panthers.

Olli Jokinen leads Florida with 20 goals and 39 points this season.