Getty Images New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro returned to his Massachusetts roots to take on the Bruins in Boston on Friday, but it was more than just a homecoming for the 31-year-old goaltender.
Injuries limited DiPietro to just 47 games over the previous four seasons and going into this contest, he hadn’t played in the NHL since Dec. 3, 2011.
The Islanders fell 4-2 and DiPietro only managed to save 23 shots, but Islanders coach Jack Capuano stuck up for him after the contest.
“We had some guys that could’ve played a bit better, that could’ve stepped it up. Rick played well and kept us in the game,” Capuano said.
DiPietro was feeling great physically going into the shortened season, but his path to redemption is an uphill climb. 37-year-old goaltender Evgeni Nabokov started in the Islanders’ first three contests and should maintain the number one gig this season unless DiPietro can wrestle it away from him.
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The match will start at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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Friday’s collection of links.
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Typically, this is called.
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Sharks ‘weren’t very good’ in a Game 5 loss, but ‘maybe that’s a good thing’
May 24, 2013, 2:46 AM EDT
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On the brink of elimination.
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Kings’ Quick ‘didn’t have to work hard’ in shutout win over Sharks
May 24, 2013, 2:28 AM EDT
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Remember when he took the blame for first two losses against St. Louis?
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Second goal in 27 games.
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Discuss: Kings dominate Game 5, one win away from Western Conference final
May 24, 2013, 1:24 AM EDT
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Home team has won every game in this series.
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“Something’s got to give,” Jonathan Toews said.
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Officially sidelined since Feb. 14 due to what GM Mike Gillis cited as safety concerns.
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Rangers’ Lundqvist: Hagelin goal ‘probably the ugliest I’ve ever seen’
May 23, 2013, 11:44 PM EDT
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Something you don’t see every game.
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‘We’ve had streaks before,” he said.
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Three straight penalties, still zero goals in the playoffs.
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Video: Wings’ Abdelkader hacking and whacking at Blackhawks’ Crawford
May 23, 2013, 11:01 PM EDT
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Detroit wins again.
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The Chicago Blackhawks’ frustrations continue.
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Sharks’ Demers is in the lineup for Game 5 against the Kings
May 23, 2013, 10:47 PM EDT
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Game on.
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Tortorella says he loves Brad Richards; those who deny that can ‘kiss his [bleep]‘
May 23, 2013, 10:38 PM EDT
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The Game 4 win clearly made him chipper.
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Chris Kreider with some more playoff magic.
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Not Tuukka Rask’s best moments.
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GM David Poile compares him favorably to Brad Marchand.
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Mike Milbury isn’t totally certain.
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Video: Highlights: Kings beat Sharks, take series lead
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Video: Brown takes out goalie Niemi
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Video: Demers commits reckless penalty
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Video: Demers slashes Doughty, but no call made
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Video: Niemi robs Carter to preserve tie
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Video: Highlights: Wings take 3-1 series lead over 'Hawks
