The building and the borough were the contextual focus surrounding the home opener event. But on the ice, in their first-ever game that counts at Barclays Center, the New York Islanders needed to set about building upon a new era begun a few seasons ago.
Their guests, the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, had already lost their own home opener to the Islanders' now-closer city rivals. This time the Hawks won in 3-on-3 overtime.
A few quick thoughts on the occasion, then you can take it away in comments and later posts:
- The opening ceremonial face-off featured the Islanders owners along with four of the six retired number honorees: Billy Smith, Bobby Nystrom, Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier all in uniform and coming out to thunderous chants of "Let's-Go Islanders!