New York at Calgary 9pm Msg+2

New York Islander Fan Central | 1/08/2009 02:00:00 PM | | | | |
Jiggs McDonald's final game who did a great job as always and had a lot of chemistry with Billy Jaffe.

Islanders website: Jason Lockhart had an excellent feature on Mark Streit with his comments about making the all-star team. The website had another release and a brief ITV tribute.

Calgary Herald: Jean Lefebrve has comments from several Flames they cannot have a let down playing the Islanders along with several radio and media predicting the game will be a mismatch here.


NYI Fan Central Comments:

First team I have seen the print and radio media predict a game, I guess one of them forgot the Islanders were not only a playoff factor but made four of six playoffs and were in sixth at this time a year ago?

Calgary Sun: Also covers the Flames.

Associated Press: Also has the ugly sidebars heading into tonight's game.

Injury Expected Return
12/30/08 Jim Vandermeer D Ankle IR. Out until at least mid-January
12/30/08 Rhett Warrener D Shoulder IR. Likely to miss 2008-09 season
01/04/09 Wayne Primeau C Foot Out indefinitely
01/06/09 Brandon Prust RW Jaw IR. Out until at least late January

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Calgary comes in a dominating club at home that just beat the Sharks big with players like Jerome Iginla, Mike Cammalleri & Damon Langkow and even Todd Bertuzzi at the top of their leaderboard. The Islanders come in with injury questions (Weight/Martinek/DiPietro) and a club on the verge of making some terrible history going back to 72-73 if they lose tonight.

Of course they also won in Calgary last season in a shootout which most will not remember.

Not much to write here, if the Islanders team defense is not on it's game it could be a very long night for whoever starts in goal. What few are talking about is the Islanders have been competitive on this trip but are not getting the results as they have lapses as mistakes/penalties snowball where the opposition seemingly always makes them play the price which ultimately decides things. You cannot lose games to a fourth line with Jason Strudwick on it or allow a two goal game by Mike Grier.

I would guess Martinek was not flown back to Calgary just to practice. It seems Meyer will now not play as the injury parade never ends when someone returns.

A nice four day break after this game.


Updated:

Newsday: Greg Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog reports Rick DiPietro will not play tonight with swelling in his knee although head coach Scott Gordon maintains he could have played while both the coach and player comments. Yann Danis has been recalled, DiPietro will be sent to the doctor when the club returns home.


NYI Fan Central Comments:

DiPietro or the coach are making sure at this point there are no doubts at all, apparently the practices have caused another issue where he could play but no one is taking any chances. DiPietro is not ready to call it a season nor is that on the radar but if he cannot practice for more than a few days at some point soon without something happening it has to enter the discussion.

Of course he could stay off skates until August and still have swelling or problems the next day.

Yann Danis according to Mr Logan was called up, it is not on AHL transactions at this time.







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