Pre-Game Notes for the Season Opener

Just a couple of nuggets before tonight's game in New Jersey...

• It appears that Joey MacDonald will be in goal tonight instead of Rick DiPietro. No explanation so far from the Isles, but I'm not really sure that one is needed. It may be as simple as the team wanting to play him in the home opener and not wanting him to go back-to-back yet. Holding DiPietro out tonight certainly paves the way for him to play tomorrow night and Monday.
• If you're looking for the Howie Rose and Billy Jaffe version of tonight's broadcast on Time Warner Cable in NYC, it can be found on channel 199.
• Jersey sightings in NYC this evening between 5:30 and 6:00: Two Devils jerseys on the 7 train headed toward Times Square, presumably on their way to the Rock. One Rangers jersey in Times Square Station. One Rangers Jersey heading down Broadway in the direction of MSG. Notably, only one of the four jerseys was actually being worn. The other three were folded up and being carried. I guess that's what happens when it's 75 degrees in October.

Look for more later, particulary the Islanders' fantasy stars of the game.