Stuck on 499

Big comeback win against the Devils last night after dropping a 3-2 game to the Penguins as the Islanders beat the Devils 1-0. Martin Brodeur is still looking for career win #500.

How big has Josef Vasicek been so far for the Islanders. Big Joe got his seventh of the season, one more goal than he had all last season. Devils defenseman Mike Mottau fell while skating backward about 10-15 feet in front of Brodeur. He grabbed the puck, flashed a few moves on Brodeur, and bounced a shot in off the goalie's blocker that landed in the net just over his right shoulder--all while the Isles were killing a penalty.

Rick DiPietro turned back 26 New Jersey shots to earn his second shutout and his third win over the Devils this season. The Devils best chance came late in the third when when Patrik Elias split two Islanders but missed the net wide to DiPietro's left from just above the crease.

As expected, Marc Andre Bergeron was a healthy scratch now that Bryan Berard has returned for our boys. Freddy Meyer was also scratched.

Berard injury update

Multiple sources say that Berard will be out 2-4 weeks with a groin injury that he suffered during the victory over New Jersey on Saturday. Marc-Andre Bergeron, welcome back to the lineup!

Bryan Berard is Back

Anyone who loves the Islanders who wasn't excited when Bryan Berard scored that goal last night needs to either admit that they are a robot or they simply need to seek counseling. There, I said it.

The media likes to talk about second chances and redemption but Berard has probably had his fill of those kind of stories. He's probably tired of people bringing up his eye injury and probably sick of people saying that they feel sorry for him. What he does like, above all else, is being known as a hockey player--and one who can contribute in a valuable way.

Last night, we saw just how valuable Bryan Berard can be to the New York Islanders.

To me, he always looked like he ran the power plays more like a point guard than a quarterback. And it is true that playing he and Marc Andre Bergeron together is a scary proposition--even when the Islanders are up a man--the fact that each player compliments the other so well forces the coaches to overlook the defensive deficiencies. It also has to scare the hell out of the opposing goaltender because he has no idea which laser is going to hit him next.

The Islanders are building a good feeling in Uniondale amongst the team and the fans in a season where not much was expected by the hockey media. That's perfect. Make us the underdogs, but let's admire a guy like Bryan Berard who shows up without a contract and everything to prove. The guy then scores a five-on-three goal in his return to the team and the Islanders are now 3-1 to start this season.

We also need to make mention of the game Rick DiPietro played last night. The Rangers buzzed his crease in the third period as the Isles were making Berard's go-ahead goal stand up. Rick was spectacular at times; especially in the third period on a 5-on-3 penalty kill highlighted by a pad save on Scott Gomez. DiPietro finished with 36 saves.

Thursday the Islanders are in Toronto to face Jason Blake and the Leafs. Blake will be pumped up to face his old mates. Then, on Saturday, Chris Simon returns to the lineup in Philadelphia.

D-Day for Berard; Bridgeport, and more!

Today is the day that the Islanders need to move on the Bryan Berard situation. Berard has, from all accounts, played well during his tryout with the team. I'm hopeful that Garth and the Brain trust will see fit to offer Bryan a contract for this season. I thought he played very well in Bridgeport the other night (the Devils won 2-1) and the fact that the guy is on Islanders TV all the time shows us that everyone is pulling for the guy.

The tryout route is not set in stone, however. The Isles got lucky last year with Richard Park and Mike Dunham but even a guy like Dave Tanabe--once thought to have a lot of promise--was let go by the Blues after being in camp on a tryout. My feeling is that Berard and his agent are probably working out the details right now.

Regarding the game in Bridgeport, two players really stood out for me for the Isles. The first was, of course, local favorite Wade Dubielewicz. Dubie was the first star of the game and made 40 saves; many of them difficult and (dare I say) spectacular.

The other guy who really made an impression on me was Matthew Spiller. Spiller is a big dude and he plays a very simple game. He was not afraid to step in to defend and help out his teammates either. I'm not sure what his contract situation is but if he does not make the Islanders, he is going to be a solid, solid defenseman for the Soundtigers. Also, with injuries being as they are, Spiller could find himself contributing on Long Island.

To end this post, I just want to send out condolences to Ted Nolan and his family. I don't think it has been reported too widely, but our coach recently lost someone in his family and that's why he missed the game in Bridgeport and others over the weekend while he went home to attend to personal matters.

Berard to Tryout at Islanders Training Camp

We've seen the news in a few spots over the last few days that former Islander (and 1997 Calder Trophy winner) Bryan Berard will be in camp on a tryout basis.

Surprising to some is the fact that Berard hasn't hooked up with another team but without Tom Poti, the Islanders are going to be looking for another puck-moving defenseman. That certainly suits Berard's style of play.

There are reports that Berard has a bad back and that fact is what may have scared off the other teams in the league. Also, let's not forget that the man lost most of the sight in his right eye in 2000 while playing for the Maple Leafs. But he's been effective at other stops in the league and has put up some pretty good numbers on the offensive end. He'd never be described as any kind of defensive stalwart but he may be able to find a role on the power play for Ted Nolan's Islanders.

Berard also received a two-year suspension from international competition before the 2006 Olympics for use of a banned substance, which he claimed was unintentional. It was doubtful that he'd even have been invited to play for the US in the games, but he was suspended and
ruled ineligible nonetheless.

Perhaps a new start back at home is exactly what Berard needs. Should he make the squad, I wonder if he will make an offer to last season's late-arriving hero, Wade Dubielewicz, for sweater number 34.

There are two other former Islander defenseman who remain unsigned as training camps approach. Janne Niinimaa looks like he is heading to Sweden and Brent Sopel is still holding out for a NHL deal. With many Russian players choosing to go back home, there have also been a handful of European-based NHLers who are heading to places like Sweden and Finland to play this season. Count former Islanders winger Juraj Kolnik as one of them. He will be playing next season in Switzerland.