It still is unknown when Rick DiPietro will play his next game for the Islanders, but the goalie will at least get back on the ice with the team this week.
DiPietro, whose latest attempt at a comeback from left knee surgery stalled last Friday when he was removed from a game with leg stiffness while playing for the Islanders’ AHL affiliate, is set to return to practice with the Isles.
“Rick has followed the protocol for his rehabilitation diligently,” general manager Garth Snow said in a statement yesterday. “He experienced tightness and discomfort in his leg during the Bridgeport game [in Springfield], and we felt it was in his best interest to sit out the rest of the game.
“He will resume practicing with the Islanders beginning next week, and we will continue to be cautious and look at his recuperation as a long term process.”
The Islanders — who will stick with starter Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron while they await DiPietro’s return — play host to Montreal tonight (7:00, MSG Plus, WJMC 94.3 FM) after being given yesterday off. They split a home-and-home against the Rangers and now play their next three at the Coliseum as they try to make up ground in the Eastern Conference.
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For DiPietro, the progress had been going fairly smoothly until last Friday’s game in Springfield, when he was supposed to play his first full game with the Sound Tigers, but lasted just two periods. He’s played just four periods since last appearing for the Islanders on Jan. 2. DiPietro was limited to just five games last season because of knee problems.