Capuano goes with Montoya to rest DP

TAMPA, Fla. -- When asked for his starting goaltender after Tuesday's morning skate, Islanders coach Jack Capuano deadpanned: "[Mikko] Koskinen." The joke sliced through the anticipation, but Capuano had difficulty making the decision between Al Montoya and Rick DiPietro.

Although the latter made 29 saves in the team's 4-3 shootout win over Florida in his first game back after missing six weeks due to injury, Capuano elected to give him some rest and start Montoya instead.

"I think he could handle a game but the more we thought about it -- we don't play again until Thursday after tonight -- it made no sense. Probably could've, but we thought we'd give Al another game."

Ex-Islander helps Tampa

Another former Islander having success in Tampa? Nate Thompson. Lightning coach Guy Boucher raved about the 26-year-old center, who scored the game's first goal at 1:01 of the first period. "Nate represents exactly the type of culture we're trying to create here," he said.

Thompson, who was waived by the Islanders last year, played a season-high 20:36 Saturday against Ottawa; he played wing last night on the Bolts' second line along with Vinny LeCavalier and Teddy Purcell.

Konopka vocal on Cooke

One of the most vocal Islanders about the league's approach to handing out punishment, fourth-line center Zenon Konopka said he was satisfied with the discipline assessed to Penguins' Matt Cooke.

The League suspended Cooke for 10 games plus the first round of the playoffs.

"They had to make a statement and a statement was made," said the 30-year-old tough guy. "We want head shots out of the game and that was a deliberate head shot," Konopka said.