DiPietro finally gets his first start for Islanders

DALLAS - One year and six days removed from his last NHL game, goaltender Rick DiPietro made his anxiously awaited season debut for the Islanders on Friday night against the Dallas Stars.

DiPietro, who began rehabbing a surgically repaired knee in August, had to endure a lengthy and agonizing process to fight his way back to the NHL. After the grueling early-morning workouts, the strict diet and weight loss plan to make him less susceptible to injury, the conditioning stints in Bridgeport and the incessant speculation and skepticism that surrounded his return, DiPietro finally received his reward for hard work Friday night when he was given the nod from coach Scott Gordon.

"It's tough to describe," DiPietro said before the game. "I'm more excited than anything. It's been a long time coming. It's been a lot of hard work. It was a thrill just to play in Bridgeport and I can only imagine that tonight's going to be pretty special."

DiPietro said he expected a whirlwind of emotions.

"You've got to get your feet wet at some point. No better time than the present," DiPietro said. "I feel good, excited and hopefully, that adrenaline will carry me through the game."

DiPietro played only five games last season because of injury. Since his last NHL appearance, a 5-4 loss against Phoenix on Jan. 2, 2009, DiPietro has played in four AHL games with Bridgeport, where he was 1-2-0. Given his lengthy road to recovery, Gordon said expectations should be tempered.

"I think we have to be realistic and know, as hard as he's worked and as good a physical condition he's in right now, it's not going to be the same guy," Gordon said. "It's going to take a little bit of time."

DiPietro, a goaltender who likes to play the puck, said before the game he'd try to keep his game simple.

"Make smart plays, don't overhandle it," DiPietro said of his strategy. "We have very mobile defensemen, so if I can leave it for them and allow them to make plays, it's better for all of us. I'll try to play as smart as possible."

The significance of this game is not lost on his teammates, who have seen DiPietro's resilience throughout the recovery process.

"I don't know if anyone can know what he is feeling emotionally right now," veteran Richard Park said. "But this is a monumental moment for him. Not that it's the icing on the cake, but he probably has a sense of gratification for all that he has endured."

Defenseman Andy Sutton, who can empathize with DiPietro's injury misfortune, said he had a "million" talks with the 28-year-old netminder throughout this ordeal and expects DiPietro to be all the stronger for it.

"I expect great things from him," Sutton said. "He has the mind-set and ability to go above and beyond everyone else."

Hours before his start, DiPietro reflected on the difficult journey to get him there.

"It's been tough. Physically it's a battle, but mentally it's even worse," DiPietro said. "It makes you realize how lucky you are and how special this opportunity is. At the end of the day, it's made me a better player and a better person, and hopefully, that translates on the ice."