Devils cannot beat the Isles this year.

The New Jersey Devils have problems on Long Island. Last season it was Miro Satan that pretty much owned them Devils; especially on the shootout. So far this season, the Devils cannot figure out the team at the bottom of the division.

The Islanders got out of the gate early with a nice goal from Chris Campoli. Then the rough stuff came into play. First it was Tim Jackman who wanted to get at Mike Rupp after a hit on Blake Comeau. Then after a huge hit by Mike Comrie on Mile Mottau, the two talked it over during a comercial break and decided it would be best if they dropped the gloves and worked it out with their fists.

Marc-Andre Bergeron put the Isles up after his attempted pass deflected off of Andy Greene's stick and right through Brodeur's legs. Andy Sutton and David Clarkson talked all game and we all knew that they were going to go sooner or later. After a faceoff, Clarkson lined up with Bill Guerin and they dropped the gloves. If that wasn't enough Tim Jackman and Mike Rupp lined up on hte ensuing faceoff and decided to go, until Andy Sutton realized that he wasn't going to get at Clarkson. Sutton ended up dropping his gloves as well and pushing Jackman out of the way to fight Rupp instead. Jackman obviously obliged because Sutton towers over him by like 12 feet.

After all of the fireworks were done, the Devils decided to make a comeback. Fearless Freddy Meyer got crossed up with Brendan Witt and Zach Parise cruised in on Wade Dubliewicz unscathed for a beautiful top shelf goal. Mike Comrie left John Madden wide open in front and he put home an easy rebound. That's the last time the Devils would see the back of the net.

With the score knotted at two Trent Hunter did a beautiful job of keeping the puck in hte offensive zone and fed Andy Sutton who was coming off the bench for a slapshot goal. It was Sutton's first goal as an Islander. Constant pressure from the Isles kept the Devils from getting any quality chances. Both Parise and Madden had great chances during an Islander defensive breakdown, but hte boys buckled down and started playing like htey wanted to win. Another great job by the fourth line kept the puck deep and during a change a few shots and constant pressure paid off as Sean Bergenheim picked up a loose puck and scored to make the score 4-2. Mike Comrie added an empty netter to seal the deal.

Final score was 5-2 Isles. They have not lost to hte Devils all season. Andy Sutton scored his first goal as an Islander and recorde the Gordie Howe Hat Trick with a goal, assist and a fight. Mike COmrie was an assist short of the GHHT as well. Isles can take this win and smile. Its probably one of hte best games they have played all season. They host Carolina on Monday and hopefully Rick Dipietro will be ready to play.

It maybe preseason, but its still a rivalry...

Thats right folks, the Islanders and Rangers resume their rivalry this evening with a pre-season match up at the coliseum. The Isles recently lost to Montreal in OT while the Rangers were shut out by the Flyers on Saturday night. I've yet to see an Islanders pre-season game so I cannot really comment on who looks sharp, I can only rely on the articles from their time spent up in Canada. And from what I have read it seems when Mike Comrie isn't buying $100,000 SUV's for his girlfriend he is lighting up his teammates in exhibition games. Good for Mike, even better for his girlfriend Hilary Duff.

The Islanders will use this game and the remaining 5 exhibition contests to decide who they will keep on Defence and what the regular season line combos will be. On Defence the Isles have a few difficult choices to make with Berard in camp on a tryout and only two players with 2-way contracts (Aaron Johnson and Bruno Gervais). Up front Nolan and co. will have to decide if youngsters Blake Comeau, Jeremy Colliton, and Sean Bergenheim are ready for top 2 line minutes or if they would be better served getting a ton of ice in Bridgeport.

Despite this game not counting for anything in the standings you will still have a lot of players battling for roster spots and some tough guys trying to prove their worth, both of which could make for some entertaining hockey.

Isles Sign Comrie

After signing Billy G. hours eariler, the Isles added former Senator/Coyote/Oiler Mike Comrie to the mix, signing him to a 1-year deal.

Also...

Jocelyn Thibault signed in Buffalo, whom also re-signed Andrew Peters.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard re-signed with Minnesota.