Mike and Dan breath a sigh of relief as the Islanders win an actual game and start putting points together. They just need to keep doing that. They talk about a big win in Ottawa in which they finally looked like themselves again and the three extra inning losses that preceded it that had some good signs as well. They discuss the elevated recent play of Noah Dobson and the possible return of that elusive teammate - Lady Luck. Later, they look ahead to games against the Predators and Devils, the placing of Anatolii Golyshev on unconditional waivers and the midday only fury about it, and welcome a new addition to the Islanders beat. Good luck, man.

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Mike and Dan sift through two more Islanders losses and process their frustrations over the postponements of at least two upcoming games. They talk about how the injury and COVID situations have impacted the players on the ice, as well as the failures of execution that have led them to dropping eight straight games. They also weigh the knowledge that the team's immediate future is very much hanging by a thread with the feeling that there are lights at the end of a very long tunnel. Later, Dan recounts his first visit to UBS Arena and they look at some situations around the NHL where the light at the end of the tunnel might be raging dumpster fire on the tracks.

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Absolutely nothing is going right for the Islanders right now - losses, injuries and COVID cases are piling up. But there is a new arena to talk about...

Mike and Dan look at the two losses to the Flames and Maple Leafs over the weekend and the shocking loss of players due to a rash of positive COVID tests right before game time. Already without Ryan Pulock, the Islanders have now lost Brock Nelson to injury, making the climb out of their early season hole even harder. Some of the circumstances are due to rotten luck and poor timing, but issues within the team's play are also hurting them on the ice. Once they finish grieving, they look at the opening of the spectacular UBS Arena and Mike gives a full report of his home opener experience. He talks about some of the noticeable and less noticeable features, and the overall classiness of what feels like an Islanders Theme Park. Along the way they look for a hidden speakeasy, say goodbye to relocation rumor mongers and make their case for being added to the Islanders Hall of Fame selection committee.

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Mike, Dan and special guest Carey Haber process the emotions of the Islanders losing three straight games and defenseman Ryan Pulock to injury as they open UBA Arena. They talk about how badly the team has looked in losses to the Devils, Lightning and Panthers and whether there are any silver linings. Carey walks them through some underlying numbers that tell where the team is failing and how they might be able to turn things around. Later, Mike and Dan discuss the one-of-a-kind exit of Leo Komarov, a one-of-a-kind player who may be more fondly remembered after his career is over than he was during his often maddening time with the Islanders. They also (finally) talk about the paper transaction trade of Johnny Boychuk to Buffalo and how Lou Lamoriello was able to seize another opportunity. Finally, they look toward the opening of the Islanders new home and all the changes it will mean for now and the future.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains explicit language because there's a lot going on right now.

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Mike and Dan chat about the Islanders mostly successful weekend and talk to Arthur Staple about his new book "100 Things Islanders Fans Should and Do Before They Die." The hosts recap two good periods and one bad one in Minnesota, three periods of unfiltered "Islanders Hockey" in Winnipeg and 50 minutes of "The Sorokin Show" in Montreal, that apparently still isn't enough to get anyone's attention. Later, they welcome Staple to ask about how the Islanders have fared in their first 10 games and about his book, which covers the full gamut of the franchise's ups and downs in easily digestible bites. They ask what facts surprised him, who he able to speak to and how the project came about at just the right time. Finally, Art sheds a little bit of light on what might be coming to the Islanders (and, uh, other guys) coverage at The Athletic a little later this season.

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Mike and Dan talk about the Islanders' shootout loss in Nashville, the positives they can take away from their record on the road so far and the next three games in Montreal, Winnipeg and Minnesota. They look at the play of Oliver Wahlstrom, who scored again, and Zdeno Chara, who continues to struggle, as well as the unlucky goal that basically cost the Islanders a point against the Predators. Later, they look ahead to games against the Canadiens, Jets and Wild and the inherent dangers, like goalless streaks coming to an end and tough goalies. Along the way they talk about how the Habs are covered, the similarities between Mat Barzal and Christiano Rinaldo, how opinions on trades change over time and how little they've talked about Cal Clutterbuck over the years.

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Dan interrupts Mike's vacation to talk about Ilya Sorokin's back-to-back shutouts, Zdeno Chara's struggles and Josh Bailey's miraculous Islanders tenure. They recap the skinny Sorokin's blemish-free weekend, and enjoy the lovable demeanor hiding a stone cold killer of a goaltender. Later, they turn their attention to Zdeno Chara, who is showing weaknesses on the ice that are concerning after his storybook return to his original team, and how much patience Barry Trotz will have for the 44-year-old marvel. Finally, they congratulate Josh Bailey on becoming the 10th leading scorer in Islanders history, passing "Mr. Islander" himself Bob Nystrom. They remember Bailey's drafting, gaze at his longevity in the face of franchise and fan friction, and wonder just how the hell this happened.

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Mike and Dan review the Islanders' first three games of the season, which saw a lot of bad with some good hope lurking below the surface. They talk about the defensive breakdowns in Carolina and the wheels coming off after a promising start in Florida, both leading to losses against other teams expected to contend this season. They then relax after a win in Chicago that was saved in large part by Ilya Sorokin and a career-best game by Oliver Wahlstrom. Later, they look ahead to the next three games, which can set the tone for the rest of their long season-starting road trip. Along the way they talk about fashion lists, getting respect versus being liked and watching their rivals start to crack from within. All the best to Mike Bossy as he battles lung cancer. We're with you, Boss.

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A short preview of the first episode of Islanders Award Winners Season 2. The Isles use a new rule to take a young and impressive Bryan Trottier in the 1974 NHL draft. After another stand out season in Juniors, the quiet farm boy from Saskatchewan makes the team and impresses everyone with his skills and poise. A new season of Islanders Award Winners is on its way in 2022. Listen to all of Season One at Lighthouse Hockey or in the podcast app of your choice.

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Mike and Dan ponder the Islanders' finalized roster and what it means to finally root for a team with Stanley Cup expectations. They look at who's in and who's in Bridgeport, the long, strange trip of Michael Dal Colle and how Lou Lamoriello uses every ounce of time he has to squeeze the most cap space out of his players. Later, they examine the shift in aspirations the Islanders have gone through over the previous decades and how this season's lofty predictions will make every game weight that much more. They also talk about the NHL's new broadcast partners, the bizarre admiration of the Tkachuk Family and other disseminated talking points from the season's start.

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