Another close battle

There's something about the Senators that makes me nervous. Ever since I was younger and the Islanders went years it seems without beating the boys from the North, I've had a sour taste in my mouth. So much that losing to them now is just a numbing experience. I'm indifferent about playing them today.

Last night, however, things changed. Down 2-0 and looking like the Islanders of old in the second period, Kyle Okposo, the young and brazen leader of this team, scored his first goal of the season. Matt Moulson tied the game at 2 in the third period and the Isles escaped regulation with a tie for the second time this year.

Ottawa's Mike Fisher scored just 32 seconds into overtime to leave the game with a 3-2 outcome.

It shows that the Islanders are willing to battle and stretch the ice, to protect with a deficit and be conservative with a tie. If they are playing this poised at such a callow point in the season, then in time good things will come.

Notes:

-Doug Weight made his season debut

-Martin Biron started in net for the first time this year

-Rookie John Tavares had an assist on the game-tying goal (1g, 2a for the year)

The tale of three goalies

Most Islanders fans are anxious to see what will happen with the goaltending situation this season. Rick Dipietro, the first overall pick in the 2000 NHL Draft, and a fan favorite on the island, has been plagued by injuries conveniently after signing a record 15-year, $67.5 million contract in 2006. General manager Garth Snow - a former Islanders goalie himself - brought in two viable candidates to fill the spot between the posts until Dipietro can actually play consistently. It is unknown when he'll be back full-time after rehabbing his knee.

For insurance, Snow brought in Martin Biron, 32, and Dwayne Roloson, 39. Biron is 199-162 in 12 NHL seasons and sports an impressive 2.59 career Goals Against Average (GAA). He played for Buffalo from 1995-2007 and Philly from part of the 2006-2007 season until last year. Roloson is 167-198 since he broke into the league in 1996 with Calgary. He's played for the Flames, Sabres, Blues, Wild and most recently the Oilers and has a career GAA of 2.62.

Both goalies will help answer any questions about depth at the position and give the team a much-needed veteran presence in the locker room and on the ice. Dipietro or not, the Islanders will be set in net.

(Photos courtesy NYI: Biron (l.), Roloson (r.))