Kevin Poulin allowed four goals on 34 shots as the Isles could not handle the high powered Penguins Friday night, losing 4-3. Poulin falls to 3-7 on the year and has allowed three goals or more in each of his last four starts.

Kevin Poulin will get the nod for the New York Islanders on Friday. It will be Poulin's sixth straight start. He's been serving as the Islanders' de facto number one goaltender because Evgeni Nabokov is out with a groin injury. Poulin has allowed at least three goals in each of his last three games.

Kevin Poulin had a rough night on Tuesday, as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat his New York Islanders 5-2. Poulin allowed five goals on 24 shots. Evgeni Nabokov's injury theoretically gives him a great chance to boost his fantasy and reality value, but if he stumbles much longer, it wouldn't be shocking to hear that the Isles might explore the trade or free agent route.

With Evgeni Nabokov out for about a month with a groin injury, Kevin Poulin, who started the previous three games before Saturday, is now the unquestioned No. 1 goaltender for the New York Islanders. Anders Nilsson has been brought up from Bridgeport to give the Isles a pair of 23-year-olds with a total of 26 NHL starts between them. Poulin will get the call on Tuesday in Toronto, his first game as the new top dog in goal. "I think every player that works his way up from the minors, every player who pays his dues, wants that opportunity," Isles coach Jack Capuano said. "Kevin's no different than Brock Nelson or Aaron Ness or Matt Donovan. He's going to get to play some more hockey in a very different role."

Kevin Poulin set aside 19 shots for the Islanders in their 5-4 shootout win over the Red Wings on Saturday night. Poulin wasn't exactly spectacular between the pipes, allowing three goals, but he did OK considering he was called upon 4:12 into the game when Evgeni Nabokov left with a groin injury. The veteran gave up a goal on the only shot he faced. Poulin, who has a 2.52 goals-against average and .909 save percentage, could get an extended look for New York if Nabokov is out for a while.

Kevin Poulin allowed three goals on 24 shots Thursday as the Islanders dropped a 3-2 decision to Los Angeles. The starting assignment was the third in a row for the Isles backup, who seemed to have temporarily usurped starter Evgeni Nabokov, though the Russian could be back in goal for the team's next outing. Poulin's record stands at 2-5-0 while he holds a 2.45 GAA and a save percentage of .914.

Coach Jack Capuano has confirmed that Kevin Poulin will start Thursday against Los Angeles. It will mark his third straight start for the Islanders. Veteran netminder Evgeni Nabokov has an .894 save percentage and a 3.24 goals-against average this season, which has given Poulin the opportunity to steal some starts.

Kevin Poulin will probably play between the pipes on Thursday. Poulin has a 2.62 GAA and .908 save percentage in five games this season. This would be his third start in a row.

The New York Islanders went out on a limb by giving Kevin Poulin consecutive starts, and he rewarded them on Tuesday, leading a 3-1 win against Nashville. Poulin stopped 32 out of 33 shots against a frustrated Predators team that had been shut out of consecutive games. The Isles giving Poulin steady nods is a great sign that he could climb in fantasy value ... unless they turn to someone else, of course.

Kevin Poulin will get the nod for the New York Islanders on Tuesday. Poulin kicked out just 27 of 31 shots on Sunday, but starting goaltender Evgeni Nabokov has been struggling mightily, so Poulin will get another shot. Poulin has a 2.62 GAA and .908 save percentage in five games this season.