NHL

DiPietro up for Nassau return

Rick DiPietro has played just one game since rejoining the Islanders on their West Coast trip last week, and he has a chance to make his first appearance at the Nassau Coliseum tonight against Buffalo (7:00, MSG Plus, WMJC 94.3 FM).

Because coach Scott Gordon’s policy always has been not to reveal who his starting goalie will be before the day of the game, it will not be known until today’s morning skate.

But the Islanders’ schedule is set to pick up again, with five games in the next eight days, so DiPietro soon figures to get plenty of work.

After losing his first game last Friday against Dallas, DiPietro has backed up Dwayne Roloson the past two matches — including Tuesday night’s 6-0 shutout of the Red Wings.

“As long as we play well and win, the main focus for me is to get sharp enough to the point where I’m contributing with wins and solid efforts when I get a chance to play,” DiPietro said. “I’m going to continue to work and get better. I’m not just satisfied to go in there to get games, I’ve gotta go in there and play really well.”

That is the next vital step for the 28-year-old and the organization.

“It is a big deal,” captain Doug Weight said of DiPietro’s return. “Speaking of big deals, he signed one. . . . You find a cornerstone of your franchise and you want him to be the focus. If it works out, it looks great. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”

And Weight said he still believes DiPietro’s 15-year contract will pay dividends for both sides.

“Ricky, the last few years before the injuries, came into his own and proved he could play at a high level,” Weight said. “Obviously, they have a huge stake in getting him back and keeping him healthy, and you’ve seen it in the way they’ve been careful with him. He’s a key component around here and I expect him to do well.”

DiPietro said he expects to be in improved shape his next time out, though Gordon said yesterday that DiPietro was “probably better than what I expected” in the Dallas start.

“It was like playing in a first exhibition game,” DiPietro said.

DiPietro had time to fine-tune during the team’s three-day layoff, but those practice windows will disappear in the busy schedule before the Olympic break. As for playing in front of the home crowd, something he hasn’t done since Dec. 26, 2008, DiPietro said he is looking forward to it.

“It’s gonna be exciting,” DiPietro said. “I’ve always said I love playing in this building, in front of this crowd. It definitely makes it easy to take your game to next level. Whenever it happens, it happens, but I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

dan.martin@nypost.com