"Rick DiPietro has played just one game since rejoining the Islanders on their West Coast trip last week, and he has a chance to make his first appearance at the Nassau Coliseum tonight against Buffalo (7:00, MSG Plus, WMJC 94.3 FM).

Because coach Scott Gordon's policy always has been not to reveal who his starting goalie will be before the day of the game, it will not be known until today's morning skate.

But the Islanders' schedule is set to pick up again, with five games in the next eight days, so DiPietro soon figures to get plenty of work.

After losing his first game last Friday against Dallas, DiPietro has backed up Dwayne Roloson the past two matches -- including Tuesday night's 6-0 shutout of the Red Wings.

"As long as we play well and win, the main focus for me is to get sharp enough to the point where I'm contributing with wins and solid efforts when I get a chance to play," DiPietro said. "I'm going to continue to work and get better. I'm not just satisfied to go in there to get games, I've gotta go in there and play really well."

That is the next vital step for the 28-year-old and the organization.

"It is a big deal," captain Doug Weight said of DiPietro's return. "Speaking of big deals, he signed one. . . . You find a cornerstone of your franchise and you want him to be the focus. If it works out, it looks great. If it doesn't, it doesn't.""