Rick DiPietro's return could be short-lived. In last night's 4-3 overtime loss to the Panthers, the Islanders' goaltender - back after missing three games with a sprained left knee - played the first period with pads not inspected by the league and could face a two-game suspension. Goalie equipment must be inspected and approved by the NHL before it can be used in a game. Using illegal or uninspected equipment results in an automatic two-game suspension for the player and fines of $25,000 for the team and $1,000 for the equipment manager. "I got those pads a week before I got hurt, started wearing them and breaking them in and started using them in the game today," said DiPietro, who wore the new white pads in the warm-ups and changed to his old ones after the first period after a phone call from league officials in Toronto. "Usually before I get them, they've been sent to the league. I guess it's my fault, but I was under the impression that they'd been approved."