[Back-to-Back Bits] One small step for the Islanders, one short flight back to Long Island

That was fun. Let's see it again, but this time in the blue jerseys.

FIG picks for Game 2 can be left here.

Islanders links

• Recaps: LHH | New$day | Islanders | NHL.com | Canes Country
• Garik compiled the neutral zone info from the game including entries and shots from them. [Islanders Analytics]
• Eric Hornick is back with his first proper Skinny of the season.
• We all know what drove the Islanders to win last night - Cappy's Pre-Game speech. [Les Beaver]
  
• Our panel talks about what they're looking forward to from the Islanders this season. So far, we're all right.
• What will the Islanders power play look like this season? Looked pretty damn good last night. [New$day]
• Cory Conacher is skating on the first line. Should he be? [Empire Writes Back]
• In a startling surprise result, the long-awaited No. 1 player on Lighthouse Hockey's Top 25 Under 25 list is, you guessed it, Frank Stallone.
• The Islanders future is now, Brooklyn or no Brooklyn. [CBS Sports]
• Kevin Allen of USA Today goes even further: Islanders can win the Metro Division.
  
• Capitol District Islander with some random Nassau Coliseum memories, which are often the best kind. Perhaps you have some as well.
• New$day's coverage of the final year at the Coliseum: Catch up with your dynasty alumni | The 10 most memorable games at Nassau Coliseum.
  
• The Islanders have had a long, long history of owners looking to upgrade or replace Nassau Coliseum. None could break through. [New$day]

Elsewhere

• Last night's NHL scores: You already know it, jack. It's on the front page of this site.
• Chris Pronger was officially hired by the NHL Department of Player Safety, which is all kinds of weird and technically illegal under two sections of the CBA. [Broad Street Hockey | Canadian Press | Nick Cotsonika]
  
• Andrew Barroway will finally get his team, the Arizona Coyotes. An agreement was reached that will make him the majority owner. [Coyotes]
• The Penguins have a new and scary gameplan. [Sporting News]
• Many hockey analytics folks have new jobs and too many good websites with them. [fivethiryeight]
• It's not just about rebuilding. It's about rebuilding at the right time to get certain players. Starring your New York Islanders. [Sportsnet.ca]

Hoo boy. This is not a good look for ex-Islander Trevor Gillies. Playing now for the Adirondack Flames, he decided to use a guy's head to mime driving a tent stake into the ground with a rock. [Deadspin]