Newsday: Mr Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog reports Jon Sim cleared NHL waivers but will be a scratch against Pittsburgh. Nate Thompson & Andy Hilbert return to the lineup.
Joey MacDonald starts in goal, John Curry who made his debut against the Islanders starts for Pittsburgh coming off a loss against New Jersey.
Sports Network: Previews tonight's game.
Newsday: Katie Strang earlier had Rick DiPietro's comments he hopes to return by Christmas as he talked about his injury and praised Joey MacDonald's play in goal.
Updated Player Pos Injury Expected Return
Hal Gill D Shoulder IR. Out until at least late December
Sergei Gonchar D Shoulder IR. Out until at least late January
Philippe Boucher D Undisclosed IR. Out until at least mid December
Marc-Andre Fleury G Groin Out until at least mid-December
Tyler Kennedy C Knee IR. Out until at least early January
Mike Zigomanis C Undisclosed Questionable for Dec. 11 vs. N.Y. Islanders
Ryan Whitney D Foot Out until at least late December
Updated 6pm:
Newsday: Mr Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog has comments from head coach Scott Gordon on Jon Sim, who despite clearing waivers could return to play for the Islanders with the forwards comments about what he needs to do.
The Islander coach also made it clear Sim being placed on waivers should not be perceived as one player being the "fall guy" for the teams recent struggles but about what he and the coaching staff saw in his play.
Mr Logan also previewed Friday's Islander Insider.
NYI Fan Central Comments:
Islanders play another club on a losing streak that will be desperate to get out of it tonight whether they are tired or not. Two games at the Coliseum Islanders were in control until the game was on the line and then Pittsburgh dominated.
Kennedy and Zigomanis out for Pittsburgh should help the Islanders but Crosby just had his scoring streak broken.
Unless the Islanders have a ten game winning streak in them at some point they simply cannot fall any further out of contention. I guess now the plan is have Sim sit on the sidelines or place him on re-entry waivers where the Islanders pick up a part of his paycheck or Garth Snow takes back someone else's salary in a trade if Bridgeport is not an option.
All the words mean nothing unless the club can win some games right now. Blake Comeau scored a big goal in a win at Pittsburgh a year ago at this time, someone has to do this again tonight.