End of Two, Islanders lead 3-1

Islanders goals scored by Jeff Tambellini, Josh Bailey (#3), and Kyle Okposo.

I don't want to use the 'O' word, but the system is really working well these last few games. The kids come up from Bridgeport where they've been doing it all year and no one misses a beat. Tambellini's been heading to the net which is just incredibly nice to see.

With Hunter out for the year, Kurtis MacLean was called up from the Bridge.

Billy Guerin has three points so far today for the Penguins.

Streak at 14 losses on the road; Jeff scores his second; Trevor Smith gets his first NHL goal

Islanders Team Report from Yahoo! Sports
Inside Shots

It would be comical, if only it weren’t so ominous for the Islanders.

Rick DiPietro now is experiencing swelling in one of his surgically repaired knees, so the oft-injured goaltender missed his third straight game as the dead-last Isles concluded a terrible 0-4-0 western road trip with a 5-2 loss Thursday night in Calgary.

Without another game until Tuesday at home against the rival Rangers, DiPietro will get the weekend to rest further and will be reevaluated by the team’s medical staff once the Isles return to Long Island.

He has appeared in just five games this season, following summertime hip surgery and operations on each knee, including an arthroscopic procedure Oct. 31 to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. DiPietro also missed a handful of games in recent weeks due to a groin injury.

“From a medical standpoint, he’s cleared to play. With the (knee) surgery that he’s had, he’s expected to have some swelling. That’s been normal,” coach Scott Gordon said of DiPietro, who is in just the third year of a record 15-year contract. “We’ve been very cautious about how he’s going to respond.

DiPietro practiced Wednesday and appeared on target to play one night later against the Flames, but Yann Danis was summoned to fly across the continent from AHL Bridgeport to serve as Joey MacDonald’s backup once DiPietro was deemed unavailable.

“We just feel that it’s in his best interests to give (DiPietro) the night off and make sure that everything is going the way it’s supposed to go. If anything, just err on the side of caution,” Gordon said. “He could have played all (four) games (on the road trip). That’s why he’s been here.

“But it hasn’t made the progress that was to be expected, so, rather than just throw him in there, knowing that he’s medically cleared to play, we just figured we’ll hold off and get him back to New York and reevaluate and go from there.”

Flames 5, Islanders 2: It wasn’t exactly a road trip to ring in 2009 with a bang, as the Islanders continued free-falling towards a crack at the No.1 overall draft pick in June with their four straight loss out west Thursday night in Calgary.

The Isles clawed back from an early 2-0 hole to tie the score, including rookie Trevor Smith’s first NHL goal, but Calgary’s Daymond Langkow scored just 55 seconds later and the Flames beat Joey MacDonald twice more in the third as the Isles fell to 3-16-2 in their past 21 games.

Notes, Quotes

• D Mark Streit gets to go back to Montreal in style, as a first-time All-Star. Streit, who left the Canadiens to ink a five-year, $20.5-million deal as a free agent last summer, was named the Islanders’ lone representative for the Jan. 25 All-Star Game in Montreal.

“It’s ironic that I’m going to go back where I played three years and made my first steps in the NHL,” Streit said. “I have a lot of great memories, it was a great experience playing for the Habs. But going back there and playing at the Bell Centre, it couldn’t get any better than that.”

• D Radek Martinek, who’s been limited to 11 appearances this season due to multiple shoulder problems, returned to the lineup Thursday for the first time since Nov. 29. But Martinek’s return coincided with an injury to another regular defenseman, as D Freddy Meyer sat out the game with a groin injury.

Quote To Note: “We’re at the point where there’s going to be a bigger responsibility on our young guys. There’s a lot of opportunity for these guys and it’s good to see them try to make the most of it.”—Coach Scott Gordon, after the already-out-of-it Islanders opened the second half of the season by completing an 0-4-0 road trip with a 5-2 loss Thursday in Calgary.

Player Notes:

• LW Trevor Smith, appearing in his fifth game since a recall from AHL Bridgeport, notched his first NHL goal in a 5-2 loss Thursday in Calgary.

• LW Jeff Tambellini, who was sent to the minors after not scoring in any of his first 23 games, has two goals in his past seven appearances.

• D Mark Streit, who was named to the All-Star team for the first time in his career earlier in the day, recorded an assist and leads all NHL defensemen in points with 33.

Medical Watch:

• G Rick DiPietro, who has appeared in just two of the Islanders’ last 34 games due to multiple injuries, missed his third straight game Thursday with swelling in his surgically repaired knee.

• C Doug Weight sat out his second straight game and remains day-to-day with an undisclosed injury to his lower right leg.

• D Freddy Meyer is day-to-day with a groin strain suffered Jan. 5 in Edmonton.

• C Mike Sillinger, who has appeared in just seven games since undergoing season-ending hip surgery last February, is out indefinitely after suffering another hip injury Dec. 29 against the Rangers.

• LW Andy Hilbert suffered a hairline fracture in his left foot Dec. 26 against Toronto and is expected to miss 2-to-4 weeks.

• D Andy Sutton suffered a broken right foot on a blocked shot Dec. 19 in Minnesota. He is expected to miss at least 6-to-8 weeks.

• C Frans Nielsen has been practicing with the team but hasn’t played since suffering multiple leg injuries Nov. 21 in New Jersey.

• C Nate Thompson missed his 12th straight game since suffering a fractured ankle Dec. 13.

Breaking the rule

I always tell myself never to blog during a game because it just brings bad luck but I think I am safe right now.

It's 5-1 Atlanta--you know, the worst team in the league--and the Isles have just hit successive posts (Streit and Comeau) and then watched the freaking Thrashers score their fifth goal. Of course there was lots of room for a two on one after Comeau hit the post so it was easy for the Thrashers. Ugh.

Ever notice how the MSG+ cameras always switch to Scott Gordon after the Isles give up a goal or take a penalty and he looks like he just caught someone kicking his dog? Trust me, if you haven't been watching, Scott Gordon must have a mush team of Iditarod doggies that are getting a hoofing tonight.

Big news of late is that Jeff Tambellini has accepted a conditioning assignment to Bridgeport to try and get his game together. See, with a one-way contract, the player has to accept the assignment to the AHL because otherwise the team would have to hope to get the guy through waivers and I am pretty sure some other team may want a crack at solving the Tambellini Rubik's Cube. We sure haven't been able to do anything with it.

And that is how Blake Comeau has made it back to the NHL. Actually, to be honest, the kid has looked pretty good in his first NHL game of the season. He's been in good position and had a heck of a pass out of the corner on a Trent Hunter scoring attempt. Good for Blake.

The reality is that the Islanders Youth Experience (TM) has been derailed with the injuries to Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen. Okposo looked like he was getting his legs under him right before he went down with the arm and/or hand injury and Frans was getting seriously shifty before Mike Mottau decided to rattle his dentistry.

Monday night the Isles are going to Toronto to visit problem child Jason Blake and the rest of the Maple Leafs.

Rangers 4; Islanders 2

My sister's father-in-law was a codebreaker for our government in Korea. How do you think he would handle this one:

Rick DiPietro is cryptically listed as being "day-to-day" with "a lower body injury" that he suffered on Saturday night against the Hurricanes. The injury, whatever the actual diagnosis, is "unrelated to his previous injuries."

(Sound of Bill scratching his head.)

Well, for starters, my sister's father-in-law wouldn't be of help because he knows as much about hockey as I do about quantum physics. He likes sci-fi...LOVES sci-fi, so I think we all know what kind of help he'd be able to give us. Second of all, for all of us that love the game and the Islanders and everything that goes with it, even we don't know what to make of this convoluted attitude toward truthiness that the organization is wrestling with.

All the not-lies and un-truths do is make losing that much worse. Let's face it: while a lot of us have been begging the team to go all in with the rebuilding from scratch, seeing the Isles lose to the Rangers is never easy. It also makes it hard to swallow when the team seems to be playing footsies with the truth on injuries for no good reason other than to prove to the fans and the media that they can.

But what about last night? Well, I hope someone in Joey MacDonald's neighborhood gives him a lot of candy on Friday because he has sure earned it. He may have inadvertently kicked in the first Ranger goal (Drury; to the excitement-that-made-us-uncomfortable of Micheletti) but otherwise, he was making big saves all over the place. Whatever the goalie coaches are doing with the guy, it is working.

Nice to see Kyle Okposo get his first of the year last night. Kyle is going to be growing up right before us this season and let's not forget that the kid has nothing more than a handful of AHL games and a few NHL games to prepare him for big minutes this year. Now, um, can we get Jeff a goal? Pretty please?

I got a message from a reader who is not related to me who asked how much longer we have to wait before we pull the plug on young mister Tambellini? My reply: Dude, get a grip. Snow gave him two years to send him the "we're behind you" message and they're going to give him every chance to play himself out of a role entirely. I like the way he is going to the net in these last few games. Billy Jaffe mentioned it in the home opener that when Tambellini is cutting toward the nets and not the boards that he gives himself a much improved lane to move and angle to shoot. Seems obvious, but let's remember that cutting inside is a move that someone playing with confidence is going to make. The move to the outside is the safe move for the players well being. If Tambellini is making that cut inside toward the slot, he is good. The goals will come. Sometimes you just have to get that first one.

Still, our boys got stomped on. The Isles are now leading the Senators (WTF?) in the TANKING FOR TAVARES (TM) Sweepstakes that may or may not end with Ed McMahon in front of the Coliseum with a bunch of ping pong balls in the middle of April.

Thursday the boys travel to Philadelphia which could be still burning if the Phillies win the World Series. Stay tuned for more unnecessary soap opera stuff from the locker room as well.

Saturday Night: Panthers 2 Islanders Zee-ro

There are two universal truths in hockey....

Actually, there are more that two, but I am going to talk about two so for the basis of the conversation, let's say that is all there is.

Two. Two universal truths.

The first universal truth is that if your team does not create second chances, you're not going to win. The second is that if the other team has possession longer that your team does, you're probably not creating many scoring chances.

So, right there, we've figured out the game of hockey. Possess the puck and create chances to score. If you don't do that, you are most likely not going to win.

Exhibit A: Saturday night, Sunrise, FL. Panthers 2; Islanders 0.

What I liked:

Kyle Okposo. The guy can flat out move and he has a sneaky fast gear that can take him around defensemen. They're not used to him yet. He blew by Bouwmeester twice to try and push the play. Still, like Billy Jaffe said, Kyle (and a lot of the kids) have got to learn to make shooting their primary option and get away from the instinct to make the perfect play. There's simply not time at the NHL level to try and score video game goals night after night.

Jeff Tambellini. We've seen glimpses of Bridgeport Jeff so far this year and we need more of it. When Tambellini used his speed to set himself up for scoring chances, he is dangerous. When he tries to take it outside the defense and to the boards, he just gets himself out of position.

Rick DiPietro. I thought Ricky settled down fine but didn't we all just throw up in our mouths after that first goal went in only 24 seconds into the game? And yet, his lateral movement seemed fine and he even was able to make a couple of those Ricky Saves that only he can make.

Mark Streit. Seriously, what was all the bitchin' about? He has onlyproven to play a pretty solid two-way game and let's face it, when he has the puck on the PP, you inch forward thinking something could happen.

What I didn't like:

The power play. Lack of chances.

Even strength. Lack of chances. Lots of shots but no real quality.

Puck possession. We didn't have it enough. Sure, the Panthers are a speedy bunch but they are still the Florida freaking Panthers. The Isles didn't initiate tempo enough. Was that because the Panthers were just that much better at it? Hard to say.

Scott Gordon's boys can go back to the drawing board for a few days. The Isles are off until Thursday, when That Avery Guy and the Stars invade from Dallas. Marty Turco is playing at his usual playoff level by letting in a lot of soft goals (in the games I have seen anyway) so this is a team that could be had.

Anyone else tired of CJ Papa yet? Where do we write to see if we can get Deb back?

Isles sign Tambellini, Bergenheim

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK (TICKER) —The New York Islanders may not have a coach, but that has not prevented them from making moves as they signed left wings Jeff Tambellini and Sean Bergenheim to two-year contracts Wednesday.

Tambellini, the leading scorer for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers last season, agreed to a deal worth $1.175 million. Bergenheim’s contract is for $1.725 million.

Tambellini, 24, recorded 38 goals and 38 assists in just 57 games for the Sound Tigers, the Islanders’ affiliate in the American Hockey League. The 76 points set a Bridgeport franchise record for a single season.

The British Columbia native also skated in 31 games with the Islanders, registering a goal and three assists.

“We are extremely happy that we have Jeff as a member of the Islanders organization for the next years,” New York general manager Garth Snow said. “We know that Jeff will come to training camp in shape and be ready to compete in September, and we look forward to it.”

A two-time AHL All-Star, Tambellini finished second in the league in goals last season. He has recorded four goals and 13 assists in 79 career NHL games over parts of the past three seasons with the Islanders.

Bergenheim, 24, played in 78 games for the Islanders last season, recording 10 goals and 12 assists. The native of Finland was taken by New York in the first round of the 2002 draft.

Ted Nolan stepped down as Islanders coach Monday, citing “philosophical differences” with Snow regarding the direction of the team.

Bergenheim, Gervais amongst six receiving qualifying offers

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK (TICKER) —Left wing Sean Bergenheim and defenseman Bruno Gervais were among six players who were extended qualifying offers by the New York Islanders on Wednesday.

Also receiving qualifying offers were centers Jeremy Colliton, Ben Walter and Frans Nielsen and left wing Jeff Tambellini. All six players become restricted free agents if not signed by July 1.

Bergenheim appeared in 78 games with the Islanders last season, registering 10 goals and 22 points.

Gervais saw action in 60 games for the Isles last season, collecting 13 assists.

NYIFORLIFE.com REACTION: Bergie and Gervais are obvious favorites of management. Colliton, Nielsen, and Tambellini all should have expanded roles with the team in 2008-09.

Walter is interesting. Clearly, he is a depth guy that will be counted on to carry the flag in Bridgeport, but he proved he is not out of place in the NHL. Since he has been qualified, it means that if the Isles want to send Walter (or any of the others who were qualified) to Bridgeport that they are going to have to leave him exposed to waivers. He could be claimed by anyone in the NHL.

More interesting are the guys who were let go. The Isles let go of three defensemen: Aaron Johnson, Drew Fata and Matthew Spiller. Also allowed to become a free agent was Bridgeport fan favorite Steve Regier.

Heading into Free Agency

So, here we are on June 25, just a few days before the doors open for the free agency season.

We have a very popular coach serving out the final year of his contract. So right there, any player who thinks that he will sign with the Islanders to play for Ted Nolan has to wonder what the heck is going to happen to Nolan after this season.

Well, the truth is that Nolan might not last the season on the Island. You heard it here first.

They are so going with the kids and there is some question as to whether or not Nolan is the kind of coach who can nurture young players and help them mature. He has been reluctant to play guys like Jeff Tambellini who light up the AHL and yet has trouble in the NHL. Lots of people think that he has been asked to play a different game in the NHL vs. the one he has had success with in the AHL. The question becomes is Tambellini just one of those guys who is too good for the AHL and not quite good enough for the National League or has the coach not put him in a position to succeed at the NHL level. With Blake Comeau and Kyle Okposo, he put them in situations that fit their skills so you wonder if it is the player or the coach? This season, we are so going to find out.

The scary thing is that should Ted Nolan be fired, who the heck would be the next coach? The organization is not only bereft of playing prospects but also bereft of coaching prospects. That is not a knock on Bridgeport coach Jack Capuano either. I'm guessing that after one year of coaching in the American League that Capuano would admit that he needs more seasoning.

So right now, the year after the Islanders signed The Leftover Line, the team is in a worse position to sign free agents than in any time over the past six or eight years. No agent worth his 5% is going to suggest to his player that he sign with the Islanders because the situation does not look stable.

Doesn't all of this just make you feel great?

NYIFORLIFE.com chat with Sound Tigers' beat writer Mike Fornabaio

Michael Fornabaio has been with the Connecticut Post since 1997 and has covered the Sound Tigers for their entire seven-year existence. We recently had a chance to ask Mike a few questions about the Sound Tigers, the Islanders prospects, and what a beat writer's daily ritual is like.

We here at nyiforlife.com want to thank Mike for taking some time to help us out. At the end of this post will be some links to Mike's work at the Connecticut Post.
--Bill


NYIFORLIFE.com--I think some people must think that covering a pro team is mostly watching games and writing about what happened. Can you give us an idea of what your average day is like covering a Sound Tigers home game?

Mike Fornabaio--Well, I watch the game for two and a half hours, and the other five and a half, I spend on the blog.

No, home games, it kind of depends. If I need to get something, or if something's likely to be going down, I'll make a point to be at the morning skate, 10 a.m. If not, or if I've arrived home from Hershey at 4 a.m., I might not. Then home, usually, and if there's something then to be written up, maybe get it done then, or maybe a little later. Call a few people to (I hope) make sure the world isn't ending behind my back.

Either way, off to the barn to be there two, two-and-a-half hours before the puck drops. Checking in with lots of people -- front office, hockey ops, maybe the other team there if they haven't skated in the morning, the broadcasters, other writers. Just see what's what, maybe chase some whispers. Get set up, check around the Internet for important news and/or for blog-ticker stuff. And if I have to send an early something, send it. And then get down to it: Barring something crazy going on, I want to be in place by the start of warmup, to count heads, to get lineups, to make sure Dennis Bonvie and Chris Thompson don't start jabbing at each other. That's about 40 minutes before the puck drops.

So, yeah, then there's a game. Then there's a 10-minute cooling-off period. Then we go and talk about it for 10-30 minutes, depending on time constraints. For a 7 p.m. start, given no overtime (and given our new, thankfully later deadlines), I'll probably have around 45 minutes to decipher my notes and churn out a game story. Then it'll take me 10 minutes to try to get it to the office before I cave in and e-mail it (The phone lines are quirky at AHY.) Then get down to the postmortem for the blog, which became the norm very quickly two years ago. I've tried to cut back on the endless posts -- I was spending half my life deconstructing three-on-three rushes there for a while -- but still, depending on what else is going on in the world, that can take a while.

Update the stat files I keep, and I'm usually home by about 11:45, or if it's late in the season and we're waiting on scores, 12:30.

NYIFORLIFE.com--Lots of Islanders fans wonder where all the goals went when Jeff Tambellini played for the Isles versus when he played in the American League. What do you think Jeff needs to do to make himself successful at the NHL level?

Mike Fornabaio--Every time Nigel Dawes had a couple of visible shifts for the Rangers recently, I'd think back to early in the year, when he couldn't crack the lineup and was putting up sick numbers in Hartford. I joked to someone in January that the Islanders and Rangers should be done with it and trade Dawes for Tambellini, so maybe they'd both get a shot.

Like for Dawes, I wonder if it's just a matter of time for Tambellini. He came back down in December and was doing all the work-the-boards, go-to-the-net things they wanted him to do, and it paid off here. I haven't seen enough of the Islanders' games to get a great read on what changes up there, but he has too much going for him to think the right fit won't happen eventually.

NYIFORLIFE.com--Jack Capuano. Your impressions on the job he did this past season. I'm thinking it is tough not knowing who will be on your team with all of the injuries and callups this past year.

Mike Fornabaio--Well, his primary job is development, and the Islanders appear to be happy about that. It seems as if the guys who go up fit in pretty well. He's quick to credit assistants Pat Bingham and Bernie Cassell for their work, too. As far as wins and losses, given the inexperience on the blue line, and given the lack of scoring at times from guys not named Tambellini, and given the carousel of call-ups down the stretch, they did all right.

And of course most importantly, the whole staff is great with the media.

NYIFORLIFE.com--Who aside from Okposo and Comeau do you think is ready to compete for a NHL job from the Sound Tigers?

Mike Fornabaio--Depends on what kind of jobs are open. There are some in the organization who would be thrilled to go with a very young lineup. There are others who shudder at the thought. But probably everyone who went up this year could at least compete for a job, given the right role. It seems to be universally felt that Dustin Kohn and Trevor Smith, if they continue to develop the way they have, will inject themselves into that conversation by the end of next season.

Thanks again, Mike. We appreciate it.

Mike's Soundin' Off Blog is great for all of your AHL and Sound Tigers news.
Mike's Archives at the Connecticut Post.

Isles over the Rangers in another shootout

Ever notice that Jaromir Jagr backs away from shootouts like there's cops telling him that "there's nothing to see here?" What is that about?

Here is Jagr's carefully-tailored defense, as written in today's New York Times: "I'm bad, that's all," Jagr said of his performance in shootouts. "There are a lot of good players here."

Pardon me, but if I am backing up Brinks trucks to some guy's house and he also just happens to be the captain of the team, that guy is so taking a chance in the shootout. What kind of leader backs away from a challenge with the game on his stick?

The Drew Carey Show once coined a word that was the combination of "pathetic" and "sad". They called it "pathetisad". Jagr's inability to step up and lead his team when he is needed and counted on is truly pathetisad.

Why they keep him around is beyond me. He seems to be interested less than half the time and the Rangers' announcers know that. They coddle and talk as positively as they can without calling him out and questioning his heart. It's a lot like the way the Islanders treated Yashin; just hoping that he would decide to turn it on once and again. The Giants do the same thing with Jeremy Shockey when they say crap like, "we have to get Shockey involved early" because if he doesn't get a catch or two in the first quarter he will pout and make Eli's day miserable.

But we are not here to bitch about the Rangers. We are here celebrate all things Dubielewicz and Tambellini.

Islanders fans have been begging for Tambellini to get some meaningful minutes for the team. For the most part, I don't think he has been put in a situation where he has much of a chance to contribute on the scoresheet. Sure, The Kid Line (I still prefer The Bridgeport Connection) gets minutes to spell the other guys and bring some energy to the team. And for that, they've been good and have done their job. But Tambellini has to be a guy on one of the top two lines. He has proven himself to be sick at the American League level and somehow, he has got to get there for this team. That's why it was so sweet to see him seal the game for the Isles in the sixth round of the shootout. It had to be a great burden for him since he is known as a scorer in the minors to be able to help the big club win an important game against their fiercest rivals.

And what else can you say about Wade Dubielewicz? The guy just always seems to come up big when the Islanders need him. Dubielewicz made another surprise start against the Rangers on the road in a big spot where his team needed points desperately, and he came through. This is where Jagr could do some learning. Dubie has already stepped in fire and learned from it last year when he pokechecked the Islanders to a shootout victory against the Devils in last year's final game to push our boys into the postseason. When he is needed, he is ready. He understands his role and prepares himself as best he can to deliver whenever he gets an opportunity. How can you not love that? Wade Dubielewicz is a gamer, pure and simple.

What a game it was. There was a definite playoff atmosphere with dueling chants amongst a split crowd. Even the Rangers' announce team of Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti were able to recognize that in between cheerleading for Henrik Lundqvist last night. Seriously, boys, the big boy crushes that you have on Lundqvist are not warranted. He's, um, just not that into you. Anyway, for a guy who is supposed to be one of the best goalies in the league, Lundqvist's wide stance let him down last night. He was pretty shaky.

The Islanders took the lead late in the first on a pinball goal from Blake Comeau. They opened up a 3-1 lead in the second on scores by Trent Hunter and Sean Bergenheim before the Rangers came storming back on goals by Chris Drury in the second and a shorthanded goal by Ryan Callahan.

Once in the shootout, the Islander goals were scored by Bill Guerin and, of course, Jeff Tambellini.

The Rangers make the trip out to the suburbs for another Thursday Night Showdown on Long Island. Rick DiPietro is expected between the pipes for the Islanders. The Isles now have 71 points and are still in tenth place in the playoff push.

Islanders Trade Chris Simon

In his Newsday blog, Greg Logan reports that Chris Simon has been sent to Minnesota for a 6th rounder.

Jeff Tambellini has been recalled from Bridgeport to take Simon's roster spot.

Logan also reports that Rob Davison is expected to arrive in Pittsburgh in time to be in the lineup tonight.

Another man down?

The Islanders lost to the reigning Stanley Cup champions last night--a night in which the Ducks welcomed Teemu Selanne back to the lineup. The Islanders and losing at home are becoming almost a tradition of late and the team has been completely horrible in their last ten, going 3-6-1 and sliding right out of the NHL playoff picture.

The Isles have 54 points and are in tenth place overall in the east. Boston has a game in hand on the Isles and are currently in the eighth and final playoff spot with 59 points. Those freaking Rangers are in seventh with 60 points in 55 games. You look at the names on their roster and they should be so much better...but they are still in the playoff picture.

The NHL season is winding down. Last year at this time, it wasn't looking too good either. But at least the team was scoring goals once in a while. Last season, the playoff drive stalled and it took a magical stretch where they won their last four games and qualified for the playoffs in the final game of the year, with an overtime victory at New Jersey. You just have to think that the scenario is not going to play itself out the same way this season. The time is now. We need points and we need goals.

Last night, without injured warrior Mike Sillinger, the Islanders were ready with changes to the lineup in the hopes that something would get turned around. Jeff Tambellini had been playing spectacular hockey in the AHL and had been knocking on the door for over a month now. On Monday, Tambellini was recalled and he brought two of his Bridgeport Sound Tigers teammates with him: Tambellini's linemate Frans Nielsen and tough guy Kip Brennan. All three would be dressed to play the Ducks.

Last night, in the first period, the lineup took another hit when Miroslav Satan crashed awkwardly into the end boards and aggravated his injured right knee. According to Newsday, Miro had been gutting it out since hurting the knee on January 8. Satan returned later in the game, but the Islanders could muster no offense and lost to the Ducks 3-0. It is the Islanders seventh straight loss on Long Island.

Satan will apparently be re-evaluated today before the team heads to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins tomorrow night.

Islanders recall three from AHL; Sillinger out three weeks with hip injury

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK (TICKER) -- The New York Islanders on Monday recalled left wing Jeff Tambellini, center Frans Nielsen and left wing Kip Brennan.

Tambellini, who leads the AHL in goals with 29, has played in eight games this season with the Islanders but has yet to score. In 56 career games, the 23-year-old has recorded three goals and 10 assists.

Nielsen, 23, will be making his season debut with the team, having played in 15 games with the Islanders last season, tallying a goal and an assist.

Brennan will be seeing his first NHL action since the 2005-06 season with the Anaheim Ducks. He has totaled one goal and an assist in 58 career games.

Tambellini Recalled; Okposo Debuts; Isles win the Shootout

Well, I think some good news is coming from The Bridge...while we are getting a distress signal from the Islander blueline.

Tonight in Ottawa, Jeff Tambellini will join the team due to injuries to Miro Satan. Bad news on the defensive front. Brendan Witt will miss the game tonight with a sprained ankle suffered in Calgary. Luckily the Isles have some NHL-caliber players riding the pine on the blueline (I am thinking of Berard, Bergeron, and Meyer--all of whom spent time in and out of the lineup) so that our boys will have enough bodies going forward (no pun) so that the experience will be there in front of All-Star Rick DiPietro. Of course, none of those guys I mentioned is Brendan Witt so we hope he is a quick healer.

And by the way, it bears mentioning that this ankle must be a heap of trouble because Brendan Witt is a freaking warrior out there. I think that term gets overused a lot these days--especially with our men and women at 'real' war--but that is the only way you can properly characterize the kind of player that Brendan Witt is for the Islanders. How many times have we seen him block a shot or take a hit and think the guy is not even going to get up, let alone stay in the game? He's like John Wayne and Stone Cold rolled into one dude.

There's a very important MRI coming up for Brendan Witt and the Islanders. Let's hope that a sprain ends up being just a sprain.

Kyle Okposo is off and running. Last night in his home debut, Okposo had a goal and two assists in the Sound Tigers' 4-2 win over Springfield at the Arena at Harbor Yard. 5 points in two games. The Sound Tigers lost his debut game in Bingo on Friday but Kyle had two assists.

In his first game, Okposo was playing with AHL All-Star Jeff Tambellini. Tonight, as we said, Jeff meets the team in Ottawa.

Tambellini is scoring at a freakish pace in the American League. The guy has well over 4o points in like 34 games. The time is now for Jeff Tambellini. It's obvious that the AHL is not the league for him because he is too good. Tambellini has to prove to the coaching staff that he belongs with the Islanders and playing in the National Hockey League.

With all young players, it's tempting to want to throw them into the mix and see what you get. You also have to wonder about the other times he's had a chance to prove himself if whether or not he is just not getting a chance or if Tambellini is not taking advantage of his opportunities. Is it that the coaches aren't giving him a fair shake or is he doing something--or, more importantly, NOT doing something that he needs to do to succeed and get a regular shift for the team. With Miro out and the team still not lighting up the scoreboard, Tambellini has to seize this chance to make an impression. The Islanders still need a spark. He delivers that spark in the AHL all the time. Now he needs to decide to do it in the NHL.