Your savory breakfast links:

• The Caps' Dynamo duo had a successful debut, including Alex Ovechkin's Gordie Howe Hat Trick and a helper from his new old pivot. [RMNB (and again), Alex Ovetjkin]
  
  • Meanwhile, reaction on this side of the pond to Nicklas Backstrom's choice of sweater numbers is a first-ballot Ridiculous Outrage Hall-of-Famer. [Sporting News, Sportsnet, PHT]
  • Fun fact: Lokomotiv blueliner Alexander Guskov also wears 99, but we must've missed the international incident he caused when he chose it (because teams and infrequently leagues retire numbers, but sports don't). [Lokomotiv (h/t NYT)]
  • More from Backstrom, from before and after the game. [Japers' Rink, Alex Ovetjkin]
• The day in lockout chatter. [Puck Daddy (and again), ESPN, USA Today, Globe and Mail (and again), CP, Offside Sports Blog, SI, PPP, BrooksLaichyear, FanPost]
• Related: 30 Thoughts is back, which is great. [CBC, and here are 90% as many thoughts from RtR]
• Leftovers from the Bears' Sunday night OT loss. [Stucc's, THW]
• That loss featured a standout performance by Philipp Grubauer, as does a new Hershey ad. [SHoE]
• Down a level, Brandon Anderson whitewashed Wheeling to pick up his first professional victory. [Capitals Voice]
• Guess who the top prospect not in the NHL is, per ESPN (hint: he loves Gary Bettman). [ESPN ($, so you won't see which Cap pick makes honorable mention if you're a mere Outsider)]
• Filip Forsberg dances Gangnam Style, which... is something. [RMNB]
• In more conventional prospect news, check out a cool vid on Tom Wilson. [THN on YouTube]
• And Riley Barber is your CCHA Rookie of the Week. [Miami Redhawks (h/t sk8)]
• George McPhee is heading back to his alma mater this weekend, where he's kind of a big deal. [13abc.com]
• Finally, remembering the 1976-77 Caps, a team which amassed 26% more victories than it had in the previous two seasons combined... and still stunk. [Capitals]