UNIONDALE, N.Y. - New York Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro started against the New York Rangers on Tuesday, showing no effects of the eye injury he sustained three nights earlier.

DiPietro was struck in the right eye Saturday by the stick of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby in the second period of New York's 3-2 victory. After examinations at Nassau Coliseum and in the office of the team ophthalmologist that night, the 26-year-old netminder was cleared to practice Monday.

He came through that OK and reported no problems after the morning skate Tuesday so he made his seventh straight start when the Islanders faced the New York Rangers.

However, defenceman-forward Aaron Johnson, who sprained his right knee in practice Monday, will be out for six weeks.

New York forward Tim Jackman was recalled from Bridgeport of the AHL on Tuesday and immediately joined the lineup, alongside centre Ben Walter - brought up on Saturday - and Chris Simon.