Nathan Lawson NHL debut

Nathan Lawson is expected to do something tonight that no Islander has done
in nearly ten years -- start his first NHL game as the Islanders goaltender.

Rick DiPietro was the last to do it  -on January 27, 2001 vs Buffalo (losing to
future teammate Martin Biron)

Wade Dubielewicz and Peter Mannino both made their NHL debuts for the Isles, but
both did so in relief.  Dubie earned a win on 3/25/04 in Philly, replacing Garth
Snow after one period, while Mannino saw mop-up duty on 11/28/08 in Boston.

 
 Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home
telecasts since 1982. Visit my blog: forever1940.blogspot.com and follow me on
Twitter @ehornick