A Point Lost, A Point Won vs. Panthers

Islanders 3 : Panthers 4 (OT)

In no way are the Panthers an exceptionally good team, in my opinion; they are part of a relatively weak Southwest division led by the Carolina Hurricanes, whom the Islanders dominated, 4-1 on New Year's Eve. However, whenever they face off against the Isles, they seem to be a hard team to beat; they had trumped the Isles 8-3 earlier in the season, and even when losing to us often manage to salvage a point.

As it was, the Isles, looking for their 6th win in seven games and with a newly resuscitated power play, had to fight to even come back against the Panthers and their sneaky offense, including Nathan Horton, who is perhaps their most dangerous weapon against us, scoring two goals last night. Rick DiPietro, who returned after a three-game absence, showed a bit of rust, as well as perhaps a distraction after the first period, when he had to change his pads after told that the ones he wore in the first had not met NHL standards. Afterward, Rick appeared calm and patient as he answered question after question (or the same question five times) about what had happened. He seemed sincere in saying that he hadn't wanted to sneak anything by the league, and that right after he found out the team called the NHL regarding the incident. Nothing more will be said about it until GM Garth Snow makes a statement about it, and the issue is now being looked over by Colin Campbell... and personally, I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry about it, seeing as suspensions by him are SO well thought-out. (Yes, that was sarcasm.)

AP says this about suspensions for illegal equipment: "A goalie's equipment must be inspected and approved by the NHL before it can be used in a game. Using illegal or uninspected equipment results in an automatic two-game suspension for the player, a $25,000 fine for his team, and $1,000 for the team's equipment manager."

The Isles did manage to come back in the third period after 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2 deficits, off of goals by Mike Sillinger, Mike Comrie and Bill Guerin- two of them on the PP, which shows that they are keeping the consistency in that respect; however, they couldn't fend off the Panthers, as after taking penalties that he obviously didn't agree with, Jassen Cullimore showed his offense with a shot that blasted past DiPietro's shoulder for the OT winner. This, after Trent Hunter had perhaps the game on his stick late in the third and couldn't send it home to put the game away in regulation. Unfortunately, that is the way it is.

Next up is Colorado tomorrow night, against a team that is without Joe Sakic (sports hernia) and now one-time Isle Ryan Smyth (broken ankle). If DiPietro is suspended, Wade Dubielewicz and the defense should be up to the task of handling the Avs. This game kicks off a road trip to the West, in which the Isles play Edmonton and Vancouver after the Avalanche game. Although the first two seem like they could be wins, Vancouver and once-Isles goalie Roberto Luongo look to be tougher. Should DP be suspended, he will be back in time for that game, and perhaps set off another goaltending duel between the two.