By EDUARDO A. ENCINA

UNIONDALE, N.Y. - Ruslan Fedotenko took time to think about his place in Lightning history and facing his old team for the first time Thursday. But the new Islanders wing said he has moved on from a disappointing 2006-07 and rocky parting.

Fedotenko, who scored 12 playoff goals during the Lightning's Stanley Cup run (two in Game 7 of the Cup final), dropped off dramatically last season, from 26 to 12. It culminated in the Lightning's first-round playoff loss to the Devils, when he dressed but didn't play in Game 5 and was scratched for Game 6.

"That was the past," he said. "I'm not really thinking about that. At that time, three years ago or two years ago, I felt I could have stayed there. But whatever happened last year, it just means I have a new beginning in a different place."

Fedotenko entered Thursday averaging 20:13 of ice time, and his second-period goal gave him four (two on the power play) with five assists in 10 games.

"It's a business," he said. "I had a lot of great times with that team, and I keep in touch with some of them. And what we did together always stays with you. But once the puck drops ... it's just like any other game."