Rollie's getting old....realllll old

Dwayne Roloson turned 42 yesterday.

If he plays against the Isles tonight, at the age of 42 years, 1 day he will match Dominik Hasek's age (to the day) when the Isles faced him for the final time on January 30, 2007 (Hasek prevailed 4-3 in OT after the Isles blew a 3-0 third period lead).

No older goaltender has faced the Isles since Eddie Johnston did so for the St. Louis Blues on December 3, 1977.  The Isles beat St. Louis 7-2.  Johnston was 42 years, 9 days old  (or 1 day older than Roloson will be next Thursday when the Isles against face Tampa.

Rollie is going to have to stick around a few more years to become the oldest goalie to ever face the Isles.  Gump Worsley holds that mark.  The Isles defeated him 4-3 on January 12, 1974 in Minnesota.  Worsley, born May 14, 1929, was 44 years, 180 days old.    (Roloson won't reach that age until April of 2014)

The Lightning, btw, have allowed an almost unfathomable 118 shots in their first three games (outshot 118-88).  Not much protection for an old guy.  Roloson has played in two of the first three games.  Mathieu Garon has played in the other.

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