NEW YORK (AP) - Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro is out again, this time for four to six weeks because of broken bones in his face caused by a punch from Pittsburgh counterpart Brent Johnson.
The oft-injured netminder was felled by a left hook above his right eye Wednesday night in New York's 3-0 loss at Pittsburgh. The Islanders said Friday that the punch during the rare goalie fight caused facial fractures. That and swelling in his knee will keep the 29-year old DiPietro out of action for at least a month.
The fight occurred with 16.5 seconds left in the game.
It is just the latest in a long list of injuries for DiPietro, in the fifth season of a landmark 15-year contract. He has played in only 21 games this season, because of continuing trouble with his surgically repaired left knee and a groin injury.
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