Mike and Dan recap the Islanders' exciting first two wins of the season and the warts that are still very evident in their play so far.

For a little while, they were 0-3 and staring down a quickly lost season. But two wins - neither perfect, but gutty and pesky - helped everyone breath easy for a little bit and gave the Islanders a chance to rejoin the rest of the NHL before it got too late. They took advantage of an out-of-sorts Oilers team at home, then outlasted a Senators squad on the road in a defensive clown show. Both were badly needed and had heroes and goats that will either be leaned on or replaced as the season goes. We don't need the Islanders to be great. We need them to at least not be aggravating. This week, they were more of the latter than the former.

In the second half, we look ahead to a week that could get them to .500 or beyond with a little effort. We also talk about their newest post-win prize and how it feels good to have some goofy fun again (with a totem that's wired directly into Dan's brain). Finally, we reluctantly bring you another edition of Master Leaf Theatre, that acts as a second chapter to last week's installment. We don't want to go to this well too often. But some wells are far too easy to drink from.

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