Isles DiPietro activated from IR By Sports Network

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- The New York Islanders activated goaltender Rick DiPietro from injured reserve on Wednesday.

DiPietro missed roughly five weeks with facial fractures suffered in a fight with Pittsburgh netminder Brent Johnson in early February. The bout didn't last long, as Johnson floored DiPietro with one left hook in the waning moments of a 3-0 Penguins victory.

The 29-year-old Boston University product is 7-10-4 in 21 games this season with a 3.36 goals-against average and .890 save percentage for the Islanders, who are tied for 13th in the Eastern Conference.

The top overall pick in the 2000 draft, DiPietro was limited to just 13 games over the previous two seasons because of knee problems.

To make room on the roster, the Islanders sent goaltender Nathan Lawson and forward Justin DiBenedetto to Bridgeport of the American Hockey League.

Lawson went 1-4-2 with a 4.06 GAA and .893 save percentage in 10 games (seven starts) since being called up from the minors.