"After months of waiting, the Islanders finally got to see their reward last night.

John Tavares, the Isles' No. 1 draft pick, scored a power-play goal and added an assist in his NHL debut, a season-opening 4-3 shootout loss to the Penguins at a sold-out Nassau Coliseum against Pittsburgh.

"It was a [heck] of a game," Tavares said.

But it became clear again last night that the young forward's future on Long Island -- and that of the organization -- is still tenuous at best.

Just minutes before Tavares took the ice for the first time, team owner Charles Wang said he was "disgusted" that yesterday's self-imposed deadline regarding approval for his Lighthouse project that would include a renovated arena and development around it, had passed without an answer from the town of Hempstead.

Wang said that he would speak with town supervisor Kate Murray this week after receiving a call from her on Friday, but that his patience was wearing thin.

"You can say you'll call the bluff, but sometimes somebody does go ahead with whatever it is," Wang said of the notion that he wouldn't sell or move the team because of his ties to Long Island.

"At this point, he has to consider his options," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said. "This lack of a decision after all this time is inexplicable. If it's not going to happen, let's get it over with." "