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Missing DiPietro, Islanders visit Lightning

Oct 16, 2008 - 10:04 AM Ny Islanders (1-2-0) at Tampa Bay (0-2-1) 7:00 pm. EDT

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- The New York Islanders need star goaltender Rick DiPietro to return as soon as possible.

In the meantime, a struggling Joey MacDonald will likely make a fourth straight start in place of DiPietro on Thursday when the Islanders host the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The franchise goaltender who signed a record 15-year, $67.5 million contract in 2006, DiPietro has yet to play this season after having knee and hip surgeries in the offseason. Drafted first overall in the 2000 draft, the netminder posted a 2.82 goals-against average last season.

On Monday, MacDonald allowed all seven goals in a 7-1 loss to Buffalo. First-year coach Scott Gordon said he didn't consider pulling MacDonald and that there are more issues with the team than just goaltending.

"I think sometimes coaches let the team off the hook when they look for an answer by pulling their goalie," Gordon said. "I hope our team understands that you can't just point the finger at the goaltender here."

Meanwhile, the Lightning are reeling after blowing a three-goal lead in an eventual 4-3 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. Tampa Bay was outshot, 43-16, from the middle of the first period on - and has allowed 126 shots on goal in three games.

As a result, the Lightning signed veteran defenseman Marek Malik to a one-year, $1.2 million deal to shore up their blueline.