Islanders to face former teammate Roloson

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Islanders will face goalie Dwayne Roloson Tuesday night for the first time since they traded him to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Jan. 1.

The veteran has thrived since the trade for defensive prospect Ty Wishart. Roloson, 41, has posted a 14-9-4 record with four shutouts, a 2.55 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage in 27 games for the Lightning.

Roloson, who resurrected his career on Long Island after leading Edmonton to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006, might be playing some of the best hockey of his career.

"He definitely doesn't look 41 when he's all over the place in that crease," Frans Nielsen noted. "The way he's playing now, it doesn't look like he's done playing after this year. He's playing great."

Others also have taken notice.

"I've been watching highlights from across the league, and he's been doing well," Josh Bailey said. "It's good. You always want to see guys do well."

"What he's done, it's a credit to him, his work ethic and the way he competes," coach Jack Capuano said.

Will it be strange facing him in a game after facing him in practice so many times?

"We know he's a great goalie. It's going to be weird playing against him, for sure," Nielsen said. "I always had a good relationship with him. He helped me a lot the past two years, talked to me about the game."

That doesn't mean the Islanders, who have used a franchise-record six goalies this season -- including Roloson -- won't relish the opportunity to get the better of him as they complete a five-game road swing.

"It's always fun to play against guys you've been on a team with, go head-to-head," Bailey said. "When it's a goalie, you're really going against him every time you're shooting on him. It'd be nice to get the win or even pot a couple on him, too."

Notes & quotes: Zenon Konopka left the ice early during what Capuano called a "maintenance day" Monday, but he will play Tuesday nightagainst his former team. Capuano is undecided about whether he will start Al Montoya or Rick DiPietro, but both are available.