DiPietro doesn't practice, uncertain to play
Rick DiPietro of the New York Islanders makes the stop against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Nassau Coliseum. (Dec. 29, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
EDMONTON, Canada - Two days after suffering a groin strain in the Islanders' 5-2 win over Calgary, goaltender Rick DiPietro did not practice with the team Wednesday.
Although coach Jack Capuano said DiPietro had improved after resting Tuesday, he wouldn't commit to using him in tonight's game against the Oilers.
"He's feeling much better, but we won't make a decision until [Thursday night]," Capuano said after practice.
Should DiPietro be unable to play, the Islanders would likely go back to Nathan Lawson, who preserved the win Monday with a stellar performance in relief. Twenty-year-old Bridgeport goaltender Kevin Poulin, who was called up Wednesday, would back up Lawson.
"I haven't made a decision, but I'd be comfortable with [Lawson] or Kevin, who is one of the top goaltenders in the AHL," Capuano said. "If Ricky can't go, I'll evaluate."
Capuano, who was promoted from Bridgeport to replace Scott Gordon in November, has been impressed with Poulin, 10-4-0 for the Sound Tigers with a 2.13 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage.
"He's a confident kid that, when given the opportunity, knows he can play at this level," Capuano said. "That's what you need from someone who is your last line of defense.
Poulin's unlikely promotion came when DiPietro suffered an injury just two days after the Islanders traded Dwayne Roloson to Tampa Bay for defensive prospect Ty Wishart, leaving the Islanders with Lawson as their only healthy goaltender.
The Islanders might be concerned whether this opportunity for Poulin - generally regarded as the top goaltending prospect in the Islanders' system - could have an adverse effect on his development.
But Capuano has seen other young players, in particular 20-year-old defenseman Travis Hamonic, thrive in a similar situation.
"It's happening to Travis right now," Capuano said. "Whether Kevin stays, plays or goes back, it's a situation where he would get a taste of it, and you can always learn from that."
Notes & quotes: The Islanders signed D Milan Jurcina to a one-year extension worth $1.6 million . . . Mark Eaton returned to Long Island to undergo an evaluation of his hip, leaving the Islanders with six defensemen. Whether they call up another for insurance purposes will hinge on the outcome of Eaton's evaluation Thursday . . . Frans Nielsen, who suffered a groin strain Monday, did not practice. Blake Comeau, who missed Monday's game with neck spasms, did practice and is likely to play Thursday.
