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DiPietro, Islanders looking to end four-game slide

Jan 11, 2008 - 1:03 PM NY Islanders (20-17-5) at Calgary (22-15-7) 9:00 pm EST

CALGARY, Alberta (Ticker) - Rick DiPietro's return was supposed to be a good thing for the New York Islanders, but it hasn't gone that way.

The Islanders will seek their first win since DiPietro came back from his knee injury when they visit the Calgary Flames on Friday as they conclude a trip through Western Canada.

Since DiPietro's return, New York has lost four straight contests after going 3-1-0 with backup Wade Dubielewicz in the crease.

DiPietro played an excellent game in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, but a couple of bad goals spoiled his night. The 26-year-old DiPietro turned aside 43 shots, but yielded the decisive goal in the sixth round of the shootout to Alexander Edler.

DiPietro also gave up an uncharacteristically bad goal to Daniel Sedin that tied the game at 2-2 just 82 seconds after rookie Blake Comeau gave the Islanders the lead. On a power play, Sedin fluttered a shot between the pads of DiPietro at 4:20 of the third period.

After finding out that they would have two starters in the All-Star Game, the Flames had a five-game winning streak snapped with a 3-1 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday.

Captain Jarome Iginla and defenseman Dion Phaneuf were both selected as starters for the Western Conference all-stars. Iginla leads the club with 32 goals and 60 points, while Phaneuf has six tallies and 23 assists this season.