10:37 am: Yes! Al Montoya gets a much needed rest and Kevin Poulin makes his season debut. Jack said he's thinking Reese and deHaan as a D pair. I think that's excellent.
10:16 am: I passed by the news that RDP has been placed on IR retroactive to December 3rd. I was not surprised. Had to jump on and say, yes, Calvin deHaan has been brought up from Bridgeport and so has Kevin Poulin. Surprise, Surprise -- Nabokov is not ready to play as he has "discomfort" from yesterday. sigh.
Uniondale, NY: The black hole of goalies.
7 am: It's that time of year when other obligations take precedence over hockey. It's the Holidays and they make me nuts.
But my problems are small compared to those of the Islanders. With defensive lapses causing problems and the injury list growing daily, yesterday another name was added to it.
First Steve Staios had a "maintenance day" and did not skate yesterday. Well, that's what Jack Capuano told Art Staple. Then a few hours later Steve Staios was out with a concussion. Ohh... Jack... Where was the NY Media to call you Liar, Liar, Pants on fire. This wasn't a Ron Wilson "I changed my mind" scenario. This was a little white lie while Staios was being evaluated.
As it always goes, one person's misfortune is another person's opportunity. Welcome to the Island Calvin deHaan. Yes, Calvin "could" make his debut tonight. Won't that be interesting? No official word as of yet, but it would be a coin toss between deHaan and Ness.
Evgeni Nabokov (supposedly) will be evaluated AGAIN today. I don't understand that one since he was already deemed fit enough to dress as backup in Montreal. Al Montoya may start and personally I think the kid needs a night off.
The Stars have 35 points to the Isles 24 total. Dallas hasn't scored much lately, but that just means they'll change their luck tonight on the Coliseum ice. Dallas rookie goalie Richard Bachman may get his third win of his young career if the Islanders are not careful.
The Isles need to play the full 60 minutes this time.
The Stars have won three straight games on Long Island, with their last road loss to the Islanders coming in a 4-1 decision on Nov. 6, 2003.
Note to Isles: Read that. Now don't let the streak continue.
I will be at the annual office Christmas party tonight and not attending or even watching the game unless I can bribe a bartender at some chee-chee club in Huntington to put on MSG on the TV. So, I've enlisted the help of a guest blogger for the evening. After all notes from Twitter come through this afternoon, I will be back LATE tonight to post a guest blogger's post game report for you.
Because, just because I can't cover the Isles doesn't mean you shouldn't have something to bitch -- talk about.
Have a wonderful Thursday HBers!
New York Islanders Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»