Islanders 5, Lightning 1: John Tavares Scores A Pair Of Goals As New York Crushes Tampa Bay

What slow start? John Tavares scores a pair of goals in the New York Islanders 5-1 blowout of the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale.

Lighting Vs. Islanders: Goalie Rick DiPietro Will Not Dress

According to a report on ESPN New York, Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro will not dress for Thursday’s game against Tampa Bay after taking a Brian Rolston slap shot off his face mask during practice Wednesday.

The perennially injured DiPietro will be re-evaluated later Thursday, and coach Jack Capuano said doctors have said the injury might be a concussion.

Al Montoya will start his third straight game in goal since the beginning of the season with Evgeni Nabokov serving as his back-up.

The veteran Nabokov has yet to take the ice for the Isles after refusing to play for the team when it claimed him off waivers from Detroit last season. Nabokov was suspended, but decided to join the team during training camp this season, where he earned the third spot on the depth chart.

Signed to a 15-year, $67.5 million contract in 2006, DiPietro has played in just 39 games over the past three seasons.

Lightning vs. Islanders: New York Looks To Continue Success Against Tampa

The Islanders get a test tonight in road-weary Tampa Bay.