The Islanders’ tenuous playoff hopes might just have suffered a crippling blow. Goaltender Rick DiPietro has been ruled out of tonight’s game against the Devils and goaltender Martin Brodeur, who has yielded one goal in the past three meetings with the Isles.
No official announcement has been made yet by the Islanders, but DiPietro was not at the morning skate, and he likely is suffering from post-concussion syndrome. The team is expected to issue a statement around 5 p.m. today.
Goaltender Wade Dubielewicz has been recalled from Bridgeport for the Devils game. Although coach Ted Nolan said he was prepared to start Dubielewicz in a recent game at Tampa Bay after three poor outings by backup Mike Dunham, there has been no indication of whom Nolan will start tonight.
DiPietro suffered a head injury in a collision with Canadiens forward Steve Begin late in the first period on March 13 at Montreal. The Isles lost that game and the next two without DiPietro at Ottawa and Florida. He returned at Tampa Bay and salvaged a point in an overtime loss to the Lightning and then won the next two against Pittsburgh and at Philadelphia and got a point in Sunday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Rangers.
It’s speculation at this point, but DiPietro was involved in a third-period pileup against the Rangers after making a save on a rebound shot in front by Sean Avery. The Isles’ goaltender covered the puck, and Avery landed on DiPietro’s head before players from both teams piled on.
DiPietro sat out yesterday’s practice when the Islanders used only Dunham in goal while practicing their power play. It’s fair to assume he was experiencing the symptoms at that time, and they didn’t clear up today. As with all head injuries, it’s uncertain how long the symptoms will continue and how much time DiPietro will miss.
When more details become available, they will be posted here.
Comments (90)
Season is over. Its been fun folks. At least start Dubie so we have a prayer at a miracle.
Forget the playoffs, Avery must pay.
This hurts big time. DP get well kid don't rush back. I want you here for all 15 years, instead of winning 15 cups we will just have to do with 14.
What a freakin low blow, had a feeling something was up when he didn't practice yesterday. Nolan HAS to start Dubie tonight. I don't care if he loses, he CANNOT start Duhnam!
A nice cover up for the Isles screwing up. He was not ready to play and now lets blame Avery.. good job!
i think you have to start dunham tonight. yes, he was awful in those 3 games he played when DP was out but you partially blame him and you have to partially blame nolan for sitting him cold on the bench for 18 games or whatever it was. it's a tough call either way. look for the isles to be very conservative on the forecheck tonight and will keep the 3rd man high all night. looks like the PP has to win this game for us.
You really are a disgrace Logan. Right to blaming a Ranger.
Really want the hit counts on your blog huh?
I bet you get them now. Its great how you do your job it really is!
Get real, maybe the Islanders should have sat him instead of playing him through his concussion! People here have said it! Everyone has said it! He had a concussion that night, they wet the bed on this one! Covered it up and now they are paying!
You know what. It was Avery's fault I love the sound of that! Avery stole your playoffs!
A little less bias would serve you good Logan!
i remember the play when Avery made contact with DP. i highly doubt that was the reason for the symptoms to come back. obviously he hadn't shaken off all the cobwebbs from the Begin play. no matter, this is a huge problem. the isles have to somehow rise above and play there a$$es off twice as hard. NO DUHNAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No way Edgar can they start Duhnam. The guy may have been cold and on the bench for a while, but this is NO time to work off the rust. Dubie has been playing for Bridgeport, doing very well. he's played in the NHL before and should be familiar with the upgrade in talent. NO DUHNAM!!!
the season is over...i will be discusted if i see dunham in there...16 goals in 2 games 2 periods and 10 minutes... call me crazy but i think id rather take my chances on dublawitz, a guy that has been solid every chance he has had to play in the nhl.
i hate ranger fans . . . and i think they should check jagr for steroids...
Averey is a P.O.S. - the reincarnation of CRACK HEAD THEO .... HE's gotta pay
To: Logan is a comedian
You want less bias? Go to a neutral site. This is an Islanders blog you idiot. Figures that you're a Rangerks fan!
Ranger fans, go back to your own blog and worry about bias over there. Also, Logan said he was "SPECULATING" about the pileup with Avery. Look up the word if you do not understand.
or is it DONEham????? the guy is way too slow and it's just over for him. .
Please people that can talk sense here, please chime in here and tell the others that this blaming Avery is a joke.
How many of you people here knew this guy was damaged back when the injury happened?
Regradless ... Avery is still a P.O.S. I saw the play and he "fell" on DP's head on purpose. He runs goalies cause they cant fight back. Simon should have shoved that stick up Avery's @ss.
We are truly a "cursed" franchise!! Curse of '94 lives on!!! No Dunham!! Its over anyway but NO Dunham!!
LETS GO ISLANDERS!
Yes, Dunham played poorly on the recent road trip but, God, he's had several great games this year -- such as the OT win against Anaheim on the 1st road trip of the year and the stand-on-his-head performance against Florida. Let's all take a deep breath. Dunham will start tonight and the Isles have to avoid stupid penalties.
Oh yeah, it's all Avery's fault. Actually, it's Glen Sather's fault for trading for him. No, it must be Jason Ward's fault for being traded for Avery. Or consider that maybe someone on the medical staff cleared the guy to play when he shouldn't have. Perhaps the same guy who diagnosed Duanar Sanchez's shoulder injury.
i hate life right now... i feel like someone took my heart and threw it under averys skates
Logan doesn't remind you all about the 95mph slap shot that rang off his forehead though, does he?
We all saw that replay right? Now, if you coach and management screws up and puts him out there with the slightest brain damage and he takes that off the dome. That won't have any affect?
But don't take my word for it or do some thinking on your own, I'm not a beat writer.
WHAT A JOKE!
No way you can blame Avery here. Even if that pile up is what caused the PCS, if that's all it took then either DP should not have been in net or this would've eventually happened at some point regardless. Get off Logan's case though, I don't think he was "blaming" Avery as much as he was trying to pinpoint a spot where this may have been caused.
Boy, this is the worst birthday present I've ever gotten.
Yes, Dunham played poorly on the recent road trip but, God, he's had several great games this year -- such as the OT win against Anaheim on the 1st road trip of the year and the stand-on-his-head performance against Florida. Let's all take a deep breath. Dunham will start tonight and the Isles have to avoid stupid penalties.
Posted by: Werner
bro that was 4 months ago. we can't live in the past and HOPE doneham regains his form. nolan can't start the guy.
Dont know it Avery caused it or its from Begin, but, as a Ranger fan, it takes the fun out of the end of the season because i dont think the isles have a chance without DP.. disappointing
DOOOOOOOOOBBBIEEEE
doobie is tiny, what is he? 5 foot 2, 150 lbs? i think wang's idea of a sumo wrestler in net is better than playing midget doobie tonight.
i think wang's idea of a sumo wrestler in net is better than playing midget doobie tonight.
we already have that in DONEHAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tiny yeah, but at least he stops the puck.
i'll still go tonight - and wear my Campoli jersey for miggsey!
i'll say it again, DP's irresponsible play (see Montreal game) has cost us the season.
Sure, you can say that had they won a few more games during the year (St. Louis, etc.) they wouldn't be in this predicament, but they were on their way to beating Montreal that night, and they would have crushed Florida the next saturday had DP stayed in his freaking crease.
That's all he had to do, take a breakaway like a man, but he had to come out to challenge Begin. Avery's elbow notwithstanding, DP should be ashamed of himself.
This certainly is not fun, but as some of you get older, you'll appreciate that losing your top goaltender is not the biggest tragedy in life. If it is, then you are more blessed than you'll ever know.
The bottom line is that you have to play the games. I could flip a coin on Dubie v. Dunham, but ultimately, I'd have to go with Dunham.
Pound for pound, I think Dubie is better, but Dubie simply does not fill up enough of the net. In the NHL today, his lack of size hurts too much, which is why he will never be more than an emergency backup. Furthemore, if the Isles don't think Dunham is their best option as the top backup, then he shouldn't be here. One would hope he has been working his a$$ off the past week.
Personally, I think if the Isles are eliminated from the playoffs, Garth Snow should play goal in the final games. If he does that, maybe Ron Low can give us back one of our number #1's!
Oh well. I'm on the ride from beginning to end, so I'll just have to hope we can write a storybook ending to this season. If not, the Yankees open up on Monday.
on the bright side its only 5days till opening night for the mets
06-07 islanders R.I.P.
it was fun while it lasted....
let's go mets!
Dubie is coming off of a shutout in his last game for Bridgeport, 36svs. He's started 5 NHL games never giving up more than 3 goals. Also Freddy Meyer broke a finger and is out tonigh. Alan Rourke is playing in his place.
I say start Dubie, I think he'll give us the best chance against the Devs.
hah-now you know what it's like to have that dog dunham as your backup goalie....he single-handedly kept the thrashers from getting into the playoffs last year..he let in some goals that my mama could have stopped...absolutely the worst...sorry guys...you're blown...at least next year is just around the corner
Forget Dunham!
We'd be better off with an empty net and an extra forward!
I really think they should start Dubie in Net tonight. Dunham, hasn't been able to prove himself in the couple of games that he has started and Dubielewicz has been solid in Bridgeport all season. I think this is a good chance for him to get a solid start on the Island. And just FYI, Dubie, last game in Bridgeport was not a shutout, Sundays game was an ugly 5-2 lose, but he did have the shutout on Saturday night against Portland.
u're right that was Saturday night. Still I sart the little guy.
Well, they were going into tonight talking about how they wanted to put pucks past Brodeur. If they do that, they can win tonight, as the Devils don't have an explosive offense that can fully exploit the situation. It still all comes down to getting goals on Marty.
Where this will really hurt is against Buffalo and Ottawa. They are all offense, and without stellar goaltending, there's no chance to beat them. But, the first of those games is not until Friday, so perhaps the symptoms will subside by then? I admittedly know very little about post-concussion syndrome...
Maybe Garth Snow should suit up?
Hey, just a completely impractical question for the sake of curiosity:
Snow's salary still counts against the cap for this year, right? Does that mean he's eligible to play? Of course, it would make no sense as he's probably in no shape, condition, or state of mind to do so. But just out of curiosity, does anyone know how that works?
I am a Ranger fan and I do feel bad for DP and do not wish anyone gets hurt especially a concussion. The Islanders rushed him back and that is obvious because this happened so soon and possibly on such a minor collision with Avery. To blame Avery is childish and wrong. Sorry to hear about DP, you guys still have a chance, must focus on D.....
Dubliewicz must play, dunham hasnt shown any promise right now, gotta give dubliewicz a shot, if he fails then put in dunham, just give dubliewicz a shot, hes due anyway
Hey guys, be more realistic. Don't blame Avery for everything.
First: Nolan's fault for cooling Dunham and letting DP play 18 games in a row
Second: DPs fault for the concussion... Don't blame Begin. These things happen...
Third: Go with Dunham. Merrick is absolutely right. Dubie can't cover the net and if you have faith in your goalie despite some bad performances, this might pay off.
We are in a playoff hunt but have nothing to loose. Devils will be without Elias and Gionte, who says we will lost? Go Isles!
Greetings from Slovakia (yes, country of Miro Satan and Richard Zednik)
Devils have great offense, they just chose to play a defensive game. They'll exploit the weakness, be sure of it.
Don't forget that DP also took a shot off the mask during the game on Sunday. Whether it was that, or the pile-up, or something else entirely, it seems pretty obvious he was rushed back and shouldn't have been in the net to begin with.
Awesome!
NOBODY SAW THAT SHOT OR CAN MENTION IT?
Why is that?
Yea I thought I saw Avery Piledrive him thru the ice... Please Logan...Avery was also pushed from but you didn't see that, I don't like to see anyone go down, but DP has to learn to stay in his net.
Um, as far as I can tell, Mr. Logan didn't blame Avery. He only suggested it. Speculation - just like all of us do here in this blog. Mr. Logan was skewing the report to be Islanders-fan-friendly. That's exactly how a LONG ISLAND newspaper should report the news for a LONG ISLAND sports team. Whoever said reporting was fair and impartial??
I hope Nolan starts Dubielewicz tonight. At least he's not "rusty" like Dunham would be after sitting for the last few games. Dubie has played regularly for Bridgeport. So what if he's tiny? He can react quicker and glove the puck before it gets into the net!!
Last stupid comment for now: maybe Wang should try to lure Avery and/or Orr away from the Rags. Hahahahaha! Wouldn't that be a great thing for the Rags fans to get upset about?
Maybe we should bring back former goalie of the future Eric Fichaud! Or how bout former goalie of the future Tommy Salo? Or how bout former goalie of the future Roberto Luongo? Or how bout Tommy Soderstrom, Felix Potvin, John Vanbiesbrook, Kevin Weekes, Chris Osgood, Garth Snow etc. - Isles haven't been blessed with too much good luck with goalies over the last few years.
I can't wait for Steady to show up...this one is going to be interesting for sure. (his post that is)
My money is on Dunham. Better goaltender for this situation right here.
This can go two ways. Knock the wind out of the Islanders and be bad. Or, light a fire that may need to be lit.
Time will tell.
Yes, where are Steady and Kevin T today?
Perhaps this will motivate the D to play harder/better for 60 minutes and not just the first 40.
At this point, I have to jump on the Dubielewicz bandwagon. Or perhaps it is a Yugo or a Le Car instead of a bandwagon.
He's not going to do worse than Dunham, and just may well hold it together until Rico gets his eggs unscrambled.
And to all of you who think Greg Logan is trying to blame Avery, put a sock in it. Rico was fine for a week and now he's out for the latest most important game of the season. Obviously something happened, and he just suggested that Avery sitting on his head might have had something to do with it.
Enrico:
Vitajte! I was in Slovakia about 7-8 years ago with a Slovakian college buddy of mine who played in the AHL for awhile. He was from Bratislava, but we visited other towns as well, Kosice, Nitra and Piestany.
Also, Elias is back for tonight's game.
Yes, Dobry Den Enrico (Sorry, I know that's Czech, but I don't know the Slovak equivalent).
I didn't see the game live (stupid NBC giving me the Bruins game where I was....), and any indication of why DP was hurt is purely speculation. There's no reason to cry over an injured goaltender, just to realize the goaltender is injured and we need to pull together.
I think it's time for Dubie to prove his mettle. Dunham has failed miserably in his chance, and we need to know if Dubie can be relied on as a backup for the years to come. All is not lost; stranger things have happened. Let's rally around our team and hope this is a minor setback.
The true gold is tested in fire....Let's hope we can pull together and move it forward. I'll still be there at the Toronto game next Thursday with my huge RYAN DON'T GO SIGN rooting my heart out.
LET'S GO ISLANDERS!
Avery made sure to clip DiPietro in the head Sunday, anyone who saw that plays knows it and as soon as I saw it I thought of the concussion and if he got hirt again. This was not about the Isles handling anything wrong, it was about a player doing what he could do injure another player.
Isles should take out Flukeqvist knee next week do likewise and intentionally injure him because anyone who saw that play knew Avery was going for the back of his head and there is no doubt that's how and where he got hurt.
This crap has to end, make Flukeqvist pay.
Dubielewicz usually see's forty shots, he get's a chance he will do a good job and give the Isles a chance to win.
Either way, no one cares about the Rags in NYC, they should be moved out of the Yankees-Mets market.
I think the problems stem from the blast he took in the mask in the third period. It was a tremendous blast and the "crack" was audible throughout the building.
Ricky looked and sounded OK after the game, but after the adreneline wore off, his head obviously hurt again.
IC-
Although I don't doubt for a SECOND that Avery would surreptitiously injure an opponent any and every time he got the chance, there's enough doubt in the matter that we just need to move on and hope Rico only misses two or three games.
The Islanders should NOT retaliate on Lundqvist, although depending on game conditions I'd love to see someone get their stick up in Avery's grill. He wears that mouth guard too, so no teeth on the ice, two minutes in the box and no shame would be felt.
Dr. Don:
I heard that crack off the mask all the way up here in the Great White North! It certainly could have done a job on DP. I have been hit in the helmet by baseballs and pucks both, and a puck rings your bell a LOT harder.
I love the way you people blame Avery for this. You should blame managment/coaches for letting Dipi play!
Although I must say, nice scapegoat for missing the playoffs and being a classless organzation.
Chris Simon, Karma anyone???
Doobie is an AHL all-star... Ofcourse the talent level is a little, OK, alot higher in the NHL but he got game. Its over for Dunham. I rather have a 5'9" goaltender that has a 2 and change goals against the a taller one that move and probably can't see the biscuit half the time... Note to Nolan, I now you read these blogs, START Dubielewicz !!!
heres a good clip for u guys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1_z24Pd_Ro
I think Avery and Hollweg are gonna get punked throughout this league. I recall after Hunter and Tucker pulled their stunts guys got away with a lot against those two for a while.
Recently I've noticed guys are starting to run Hollweg a little harder each game. If Dipietro's concussion is a result of Avery plopping on top of his I think Avery is gonna get a little as well.
That's if Dipietro really has a concussion and they're not just being carefull because he has a nasty headache.
I'm not worried about the Rags. The Isles are coming out of their slump and the Rags look like a team that's headed for one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WskHfwJ7l4A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8MmwViEZRQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOmoFm0qGqg
this is the best
I can't wait for the next Rangers Isle's game. I will have my "WE WANT HEXTALL" chant ready to go.
Tough break, but this is what happens when your short on Goaltending, Defence, Offence...Managment?... Come to think of it, why don't your guys get ready to cheer on New York's only Hockey team:
LET"S GO RANGERS!!!!
Merrick - thanks for the perspective. I can personally testify that there are far worse tragedies in life.
As for the Avery issue. In all fairness to Logan, he really had to report on the Avery hit. First of all, NBC commented on the hit right after it happened and related it to DP's injury. They even showed and overhead view of the replay. So Logan really could've been considered professionally negligent if he didn't mention it. However, I do think Logan dropped the ball by not also mentioning the shot flush off DP's coconut. It should've been mentioned for balance.
On Dunham/Dubbie - Nolan is a loyalty kind of guy, so I think he'll start Dunham. And it might not be such a bad thing considering the devils are a low shots-on-goal team. But you can bet your sweet anus that he'll be lifted faster than you can say "whiff" if he lets in a bad one.
why wait till he lets in th "bad one"????????
don't start the guy.
Here is what I posted on March 20th. Blog title was "GAME TIME DECISION - WINK, WINK".
...
Personally I would NOT play DP tonight and put in Dubbie. He's got a 15 year contract and I would go a game past when the Docs say it is ok. But it looks like they'll play him anyway.
...
I don't play competitive hockey anymore because of a concussion. My doctor said, "if you do this for exercise, find another sport".
I was posting on the previous post when this news came out. They should play Dubbie because goalies new to the NHL have a short-term advantage. The opposition doesn't have a book on them. The goalie for Montreal is enjoying that. I think his name is Malik. And Montreal now thinks they have a chance to make it into the Post Season with him.
No matter how far they get this year, if management keeps the core of this team together, this diversity could be very good for the Ilses in the next season.
Kevin T.
SickRangersFan: I'd sooner cheer on the Sabres than the Rags. :-P
How's your attendence this year fellas???
I think the DP/Lundqvist goalie duels have been the most exciting part of the rivalry since the Baumgartner/Domi fights. I can understand why Rangers fans might let out a sigh of relief at this news of a continuing injury, seeing how close the standings are, but I don't understand why some are so overjoyed that they feel the need to migrate to this board to celebrate...and then preach to us about class (?)
At least the Islanders legitimately made Mythic Hero Lundqvist cry "Uncle" (or more accurately, "Take me out, coach!") at the beginning of the year instead of relying on an injury...
What's with Islander fans and the whole obesession with putting down the Rangers and their "corporate" Garden? If you think Wang doesn't dream about selling 10,000+ corporate tickets and suites, then you're dreaming. Every fanchise in sports relies on corporate sponsors to keep them afloat. Actually, having those parters in the first place is the sign of a healthy franchise. I have bad news for you Islander fans, if the day comes when your organization can actually get it's act together, build a new arena, and renew it's fan base, your arena will become a "corporate" Coliseum...
NEW NEWS BOYS!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/ny-spdp0328,0,6050219.story
LET'S WIN TONIGHT FRO RICKY AND SEE HIM BACK IN ACTION AGAINST BUFFALO!!!!
BOYS GOTTA COME UP BIG TONIGHT!!!
LET'S GO ISLANDERS!!!
AND WILL THE EURORANGER FANS JUST LEAVE THIS SITE, AS WE REALLY DON'T GIVE A CRAP WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY.
Did anyone else see that Meyer is out indefinitely with a broken finger? The Islanders called up Rourke from Bridgeport. Maybe that'll help!
What a roller coaster ride! I just told some buddies he was out, maybe for the season. Now I have to clear it up.
Whoever puts on the uniform, just get it done!
Kevin T.
Rag fans, just go kiss Marbury's butt as
Me-$$-i-er had to kiss Ewings and know your place as Msg's second-class citizens that purchase Rag tickets so they can see the KNICKS, without the Knicks you have no team and without us you can't fill the Garden despite Dolan's political posted sellouts that has thoudands of empty seats most games.
Your totally irevelant in your own market and your inferority complex with Potvin and the Islanders says it all. Islander fans have owned Msg all season and the Devils did in your playoff last year.
NEW YORK CITY'S ORIGIONAL SIX CHAMPIONSHIP HOCKEY TEAM IS THE NEW YORK ISLANDERS.
Your the NY AMERICAN'S UGLY RED-HEADED STEP CHILD.
DEAL WITH YOUR STATUS AS SECOND CLASS CITIZENS TO POTVIN AND THE ISLANDERS AT MSG AND ALL OVER NEW YORK.
As soon as baseball begins your season is completely over win or lose.
Wow, there's a lot of hostility there. Islander fans like you give the rest of you guys a bad name. I'm no doctor, but it almost seems like an inferiority complex. Worry about your own team's troubles, instead of continuously trying to prove yourself and your team by making ridiculous, over-the-top comments. I am not here to rip on your team, but rather get an insight into the "enemy's" thinking... Grow up, dude.