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PHT 1st Dud of the Week Okposo scratched vs. Rangers

New York Islanders v Pittsburgh Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 08: Kyle Okposo #21 of the New York Islanders handles the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period at Mellon Arena on April 8, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Penguins defeated the Islanders 7-3. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Justin K. Aller

Yesterday, struggling New York Islanders RW Kyle Okposo was named PHT’s 1st Dud of the Week (along with No Goals Club members Blake Wheeler and Radek Dvorak).

Today, the struggle continued as Katie Strang of ESPNNewYork.com reports Okposo will sit out tonight’s game against the Rangers. Isles head coach Jack Capuano said it would be a game-time decision, but it’s widely believed that Okposo will be held out of the lineup (and pregame warmups.)

While the move is a condemnation of Okposo’s recent play (no goals through 14 games), it has dual purpose. Scratching Okposo gives 19-year-old Nino Niederreiter an opportunity to make his season debut, potentially on New York’s top line with Matt Moulson and John Tavares.

(Should also be noted this is a straight positional swap, as both Okposo and Niederreiter play right wing.)

“I’m super excited,” Niederreiter told ESPNNewYork.com when reached by telephone Monday. “I couldn’t be happier than I am right now. I’m just going to try to take it one day at a time and do what I can to help the team.”

While Niederreiter’s happy, Okposo isn’t all that pleased...

Strang-Okposo tweet