NHL

DiPietro cleared, backing up for Islanders

Goalie Rick DiPietro, sidelined since Oct. 12 with a concussion, is the backup goalie as the Islanders play host to the Penguins at Nassau Coliseum on Tuesday night.

DiPietro, who has rarely been able to stay healthy, was hit in the mask with a Brian Rolston shot almost two weeks ago when the team was practicing and was diagnosed with a concussion. He had been practicing with the team, but suited up for the first time since the injury.

He appeared in five games in 2009, eight in 2010, and 26 last season due to lingering knee and hip injuries and a concussion suffered in a fight with Pittsburgh goalie Brent Johnson on Feb. 2.

DiPietro has yet to appear in a game this season. The Islanders had been rotating Evgeni Nabokov and Al Montoya in goal. Nabokov started in goal Tuesday, after a solid outing at Florida this weekend in a 4-2 loss.

“It’s early in the season, but obviously [Nabokov] is someone I didn’t know well coming in the season, He is a character guy and a good teammate,” coach Jack Capuano said.

That “character guy and good teammate” was suspended by the Islanders last season after failing to report to the team after he was claimed on waivers. Nabokov had been on his way to Detroit before the Islanders claimed him and he voiced his displeasure about it. But this season, he decided to report to training camp and has found himself in a goalie platoon. Whether the Islanders intend to showcase Nabokov and try to trade him is anyone’s guess, but DiPietro’s frailty would make a trade risky.

“Obviously [Nabokov’s] play speaks for itself, but there’s no question on the big stage, against the Rangers he played very well, as he did down in Florida,” Capuano said at the morning skate, referring to Nabokov’s two previous starts this season.

Nabokov (1-1, 2.53 goals-against average, .921 save-percentage) will be making his third start in the past four games. Montoya (2-2, 2.01GAA, .930 save percentage) had started the teams’ first three games. Both goalies have performed well, and now with DiPietro in the mix, Capuano has some decisions to make.

“Our goaltending right now is one of our strong points on our hockey team,” Capuano said. “But is there a clear No. 1? No.”

david.satriano@nypost.com