Thomas Vanek's comfort level increasing with Islanders

If there is any shred of hope in the recent deluge of disappointment, it is that Thomas Vanek is feeling more comfortable as an Islander, and a Long Islander.

Lights out

A power outage at Joe Louis Arena Monday morning darkened corridors and left an end of the rink in shadows as the Red Wings practiced. "I liked it," said Daniel Alfredsson, the 41-year-old forward. "We only skated half the ice. It was perfect."

Colin McDonald was back in the lineup last nightMonday night after having been scratched for four consecutive games. "The thing I learned the most is just how much I love playing the game. When they take that away from you, it kind of hits home. It just makes you realize how bad you want to be here," he said. "I'm just going to make sure that doesn't happen again, I want to get that chip back on my shoulder. In my mind, I'm looking at this as Game One for me." . . . A power outage at Joe Louis Arena yesterdayMondayMonday had corridors dark for the morning skate and lights on for only one end of the rink as the Red Wings practiced. "I liked it," Daniel Alfredsson, the Red Wings' 41-year-old forward said. "We only skated half the ice. It was perfect."