Uniondale, NY (Sports Network) - New York Islandersgoaltender Rick DiPietro returned to action Friday after a 27-game absence to play in net against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
DiPietro, who had not played since October 25 because of knee surgery, was 0-2-0 this season coming into Friday's game. The Islanders snapped a 10-game losing streak (0-9-1), their longest in almost 11 years, as DiPietro made 28 saves and recorded an assist in the 4-1 victory over the Leafs.
Joey MacDonald has started all but two games in DiPietro's absence, and MacDonald posted a 10-17-3 record with a 3.20 goals-against average.
To make room for DiPietro on the roster, New York optioned goaltender Yann Danis to Bridgeport of the AHL.
DiPietro, the first overall pick of the 2000 NHL draft, is currently in the midst of a 15-year contract worth $67.5 million that runs through the 2021 season. In 271 games over seven season with the Isles, he has a 116-111-8-21 record and a 2.79 GAA.
