The Islanders have placed goalie Evgeni Nabokov on the injured reserve list and recalled goalie Anders Nilsson from their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. It is expected that Nabokov will be out at least four weeks. The starting reigns will be handed over to goalie Kevin Poulin and Nilsson will fill the backup role. Many in Islander nation wanted to see if these two goalies were capable of becoming quality NHL netminders, we will certainly get a much better look into their progress and development now.

In Bridgeport this season Nilsson has a record of 3-6-1, a goals against average of 3.57 and a save percentage of .880. Before you go crazy, this stats are somewhat misleading. While Nilsson has struggled at times the Sound Tigers feature a team of 10 first year pros and most of them are defenseman. They are trying to find their way in the AHL and have been of little help to the young netminder. For the most part I have not been that upset with his play, yes I understand his stats are not great but considering that last season was a lost year due to medical issues I think Nilsson’s play has been better than those stats indicate.

If Nilsson fails miserably look for phone calls to the likes of Jose Theodore or Johan Hedberg to be placed. However with the Islanders only playing in a few back to back nights over the span of the next month Kevin Poulin will have a chance to take the starting job and run with it. Poulin will undoubtedly see the lion’s share of the work these next four weeks. It is up to the Islanders defense to give him a chance to be successful. I honestly never thought Poulin would develop into a quality NHL goalie but he is without question proving he belongs in the league. I would love to be wrong on this one and hopefully the young goalie can spark this team.

To replace Nilsson in Bridgeport the Sound Tigers have recalled former Boston College standout Parker Milner from their ECHL affiliate in Stockton. He will see some starts in Bridgeport as their schedule really ramps up in the upcoming weeks.

The Islanders return to the ice tomorrow night in Toronto as they square off against the Leafs. I will have more on that game Tuesday morning and as always for more on all things hockey please follow me on twitter at @DanDanNoodles78.

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