Presented By
New York Islanders
1979‐80 to 1982‐83
Back‐to‐back dynasties are unprecedented, but such was the case in the early 1980s when the New York Islanders followed the Montreal Canadiens' four‐season run with one of their own. In 1980, the Islanders defeated the Philadelphia Flyers for the Cup, in 1981 it was the Minnesota North Stars, the Islanders beat the Vancouver Canucks and in their fourth straight championship, a win over the Edmonton Oilers did the trick.
The Islanders joined the NHL as an expansion team for the 1972‐73 season, so their inaugural Stanley Cup win was only in their eighth season of existence. Prudent draft picks had given the Long Island squad a powerhouse core that carried the team to Stanley Cup glory. In 1980, Bryan Trottier won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP. The next year, it was Butch Goring, a veteran acquired at the trade deadline. Mike Bossy won the Smythe in 1982 and Billy Smith earned the trophy in 1983. Together, the Islanders won an unprecedented 19 consecutive playoff series.
Five players who later earned recognition as Honoured Members of the Hockey Hall of Fame played in each of the four championships: Mike Bossy (1991), Clark Gillies (2002), Denis Potvin (1991), goaltender Billy Smith (1993) and Bryan Trottier (1997). This core was led by Al Arbour, the Islanders head coach, who was inducted as a Builder in 1996.
Quotables
“You're not supposed to enjoy the playoffs. It's supposed to be work.”
‐ Denis Potvin
“This is a team with tremendous desire. If we keep that desire we will never lose the Cup.”
‐ Mike Bossy
“Our guys are never satisfied. Who knows how long they will keep it up?”
‐ Islanders' GM Bill Torrey
Summary
Stanley Cups: 4 consecutive
Stanley Cup Finals Record: 16‐3
Regular Season Winning %: .648
Regular Season 1st‐Place Finishes: 2
Individual Trophy Winners: 7
Individuals Selected To All‐Star Teams 8
Hockey Hall of Fame Members: (7) Al Arbour, Mike Bossy, Clark Gillies, Denis Potvin, Billy Smith, Bill Torrey, Bryan Trottier
Players On All 4 Stanley Cup Champions: (16) Mike Bossy, Bob Bourne, Clark Gillies, Butch Goring, Anders Kallur, Gord Lane, Dave Langevin, Wayne Merrick, Ken Morrow, Bob Nystrom, Stefan Persson, Denis Potvin, Billy Smith, Duane Sutter, John Tonelli, Bryan Trottier
KEY TEAM RECORDS
Most Wins: 54 (1981‐82)
Most Points: 118 (1981‐82)
Most Goals: 385 (1981‐82)
KEY INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
Most Points: 147 (Mike Bossy in 1981‐82)
Tidbits
On April 13, 1982, the Islanders faced playoff elimination, trailing 3‐1 to the Penguins with under six minutes to play in the third. New York scored twice in the period and won the game and series in overtime.
The New York Islanders were the first team from the United States to win four consecutive cups.
The Islanders took just eight years to evolve from expansion team to a Stanley Cup champion.
Summary
Stanley Cups: 4 consecutive
Stanley Cup Finals Record: 16‐3
Regular Season Winning %: .648
Regular Season 1st‐Place Finishes: 2
Individual Trophy Winners: 7
Individuals Selected To All‐Star Teams 8
Hockey Hall of Fame Members: (7) Al Arbour, Mike Bossy, Clark Gillies, Denis Potvin, Billy Smith, Bill Torrey, Bryan Trottier
Players On All 4 Stanley Cup Champions: (16) Mike Bossy, Bob Bourne, Clark Gillies, Butch Goring, Anders Kallur, Gord Lane, Dave Langevin, Wayne Merrick, Ken Morrow, Bob Nystrom, Stefan Persson, Denis Potvin, Billy Smith, Duane Sutter, John Tonelli, Bryan Trottier
KEY TEAM RECORDS
Most Wins: 54 (1981‐82)
Most Points: 118 (1981‐82)
Most Goals: 385 (1981‐82)
KEY INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
Most Points: 147 (Mike Bossy in 1981‐82)