New York Islanders: Offense Wakes Up, Though Rick DiPietro Is Concussed

The Islanders' season is three games old, and this season already is different from the past few years in quite a few ways.

First of all, the Islanders came into this season with a positive on-ice outlook for the first time in many years. That in and of itself is a major change.

In addition to that, the Islanders came into this season with stability, a powerful young offense teeming with potential to improve on a very successful second half last year. They have an experienced veteran defense with a few young stars on the rise and rookies ready to step in if anyone falters or gets injured.

The Islanders also have a lot of depth in goal, with Al Montoya, Rick DiPietro and Evgeni Nabokov all on the main roster with two excellent prospects backing them up. Yes, the Islanders are deep, young and very talented.

The offense was non-existent against the Panthers on opening night and struck twice in the second game against the Minnesota Wild.

Last night, the Islanders faced their most skilled opponent yet in the Tampa Bay Lightning and quite simply rolled right over them, chasing ex-teammate Dwayne Roloson out of the net and beating the Lightning 5-1.

The Islanders' first line of Matt Moulson, John Tavares and P.A. Parenteau skated like they were joined by some new Apple technology bridging their brains together and frustrated Tampa Bay's veteran defense, which includes Zdeno Chara wanna-be Victor Hedman.

Montoya was sharp again, stopping 34 of 35 shots, and the defense was poised and calm against a high-powered offense forcing most shots to the outside of the prime shooting areas.

DiPietro came into this season healthy for the first time in four years and came in with a much-improved attitude, knowing that he had a lot of competition in the crease this season.

Not only did he come in healthy, but he also looked very sharp in preseason games, giving fans hope that he would become the All-Star goalie again we all know he can be.

Then something very familiar happened.

Brian Rolston hit him in the temple with a shot in practice, causing a concussion that has Rick out indefinitely.

Is there anyone that you can think of that has had worse luck than Rick? Rick did everything right so far this year, and for his troubles gets rung like a bell by a shot in practice.

Rick should stay far away from Atlantic City and Las Vegas because his luck cannot possibly get any worse.

Islanders fans, while skeptical D.P. can regain his pre-injury form, had some hope with his performance in preseason. Now they say, "Oh well, it is a good thing we have Nabokov now."

I cannot help but feel awful for Rick. Yes, that's me, an electrical contractor making a small fraction of what Rick makes, feeling bad for a guy who gets to play pro sports and make millions of dollars.

All the guy wants to do is play and show everyone he can still be a No. 1 goalie, and now this.

I hope this is not a major issue for Rick and he can come back in quickly and get a few games under his belt. I remain a skeptic, but that does not mean I can't root for the guy.