It's been years since the Islanders played a game that counted at Nassau Coliseum. But this Saturday they're back, and their famous "sign guy" can't wait.

Bay Shore's Patrick Dowd is best known as "The Islanders Sign Guy." He brings homemade messages of hope to every game. So what message does he have to welcome the Isles back to the Barn? News 12 visited him to find out.

"When I go to make the signs, I first have to have an idea," said Dowd. "And the idea has to be relevant to what's going on currently."

Dowd said the Coliseum is home, where the team belongs.

"It's coming back to where you grew up … it's like your hometown," he said. "It's a place where people know, their memories are there."

Dowd said he is meticulous in how he words his signs.

"People definitely don't know how much work goes into this," he told News 12. "It's my pleasure."

Dowd's sole reason for the signs, he said, is to be positive and inspirational.

"Bringing it into the building and watching people's reaction, seeing the positive response is just great," he said. "I do this because I love my team."

Dowd said the Islanders are going to be a good team and that the Barn will be rocking like it used to. So his sign for Saturday reads, "The Islanders reborn at the barn."

If you can't make Saturday's game, there are 20 more games at the Coliseum this season.