New York Islanders (1972-Present)

Historical Moments:
1972/73: 40 years after the Brooklyn Americans folded, New York once again had 2 NHL teams. The dream of bring a second hockey team to the New York Metropolitan Area belonged to Roy Boe who owned the New York Nets of the ABA. With plans of a rival hockey league starting up the NHL had decided to head the rivals off at the pass but granting Boe an expansion team based on New York known as the Islanders. GM Bill Torrey started by drafting Billy Smith and Ed Westfall in the expansion draft and Bobby Nystrom and Billy Harris in the amateur draft. The islanders would make their debut on October 7th losing at the Nassau Coliseum 3-2 to the Atlanta Flames, who were also playing their very first game. The Isles would get their first win 5 days later as they beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-2. However, wins would be very rare as they end up finishing dead last with an awful record of 12-60-6.

1973/74: After struggling under 2 coaches in their first season the Islanders bring in another new coach Al Arbour who had been in the playoffs the past 19 seasons as either a player or a coach. The Islanders would struggle early under Arbour going winless through their first 7 games, on the way to finishing in last place again with a 19-41-18 record. However defenseman Dennis Potvin would provide a bright spot capturing the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie.

1974/75: The Islanders would get off to a terrific start in their 3rd season losing just 1 of their first 10 games. The Islanders would play good enough the rest of the way to make it into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history with a record of 33-25-22. In their first playoff series the Islanders were matched up against the New York Rangers. The Islanders would get off to a good start upsetting their rivals 3-2 in the opener at MSG. However, the Rangers would recover by taking Game 2 at Nassau Coliseum 8-3 setting up a decisive 3rd game at the Garden. The Isles would let a 3-0 lead slip away in the 3rd period as the Rangers threw every shot they could at goalie Billy Smith. However, the Isles still had a chance as the game went into overtime. The overtime would not last long a s the Isles controlled the opening face off and won the game and the series on a goal by Jean Potvin, on a brilliant pass from Jude. In the 2nd round the Islanders run appeared to be over as they dropped their first 3 games to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Only 1 team had ever overcome a 3-0 deficit before. However, the Islanders would not quit as Coach Al Arbour challenged his players saying, "If there's anyone here who doesn't feel we can come back and beat these guys, get off the ice immediately." The Speech worked as the Isles won the next 3 games to force a 7th game in Pittsburgh. Game 7 would be a tight defensive affair, as the game remained scoreless into the 3rd before Ed Westfall gave the Isles a 1-0 lead late in the 3rd period. The Islanders would tighten their defense the rest of the way not allowing a shot on goal to complete the amazing comeback. In the semifinals the Islanders were matched up against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Philadelphia Flyers. The Islanders would find themselves down 3 games to none again, only to rally and force a 7th game. However, the Islanders miracle run would end with a 4-1 loss in Game 7.

1975/76: Coming off their miracle run to the semifinals the Islanders were even stronger as they finished in 2nd place in the Patrick Division with a solid 42-21-17 record topping the 100 point mark for the first time in franchise history. Helping to lead the way was Bryan Trottier who had a spectacular rookie season winning the Calder Trophy by scoring 95 points. In the playoffs the Isles would make quick work of the Vancouver Canucks winning 2 straight to reach the 2nd round. In the 2nd round the Isles would drop the first 2 games to the Buffalo Sabres on the road. However, the Islanders who were used to comebacks would win the next 4 games and reach the semifinals for the 2nd straight season. However, the Islanders would end up falling to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Montreal Canadiens in 5 games, as they could not overcome a 3-0 deficit.

1976/77: The Islanders continued to show they belonged at the top of the NHL's list of elite teams, as they put together another strong season finishing in 2nd place with a solid record of 47-21-12. The Islanders would hit the playoffs rolling as they made the semifinal again by sweeping through the Chicago Black Hawks in 2 games and the Buffalo Sabres in 4. However, once again the Isles would fall to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions as they are beaten by the Montreal Canadiens in 6 games.

1977/78: The Islanders continued to get stronger as Mike Bossy becomes the 3rd rookie to win the Calder Trophy in 5 years, as the Islanders won the first division title with a spectacular record of 48-17-15. However, in the playoffs the Islanders would stumble dropping their 2nd round series to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 7 games after a first round bye.

1978/79: Led by Bryan Trottier who captures the Hart Trophy with 134 points the Islanders continue to rise improving for the 6th year in a row while taking their 2nd straight division title with a NHL best record of 51-15-14. In the playoffs the Islanders would get to the Semifinals for the 4th time in 5 years by sweeping the Chicago Black Hawks in 4 straight games after a first round bye. However, once again the Islanders would have a let down n the semis as they fall to the New York Rangers in 6 games.

1979/80: Coming off their playoff let down against the New York Rangers the Islanders would get off to a slow start at 6-11-4. The Islanders even lost a game in which Billy Smith became the first goalie to tally goal. However, as the New Year rolled around the Islanders started to turn things around climbing above .500 in mid January. Down the stretch the Islanders would receive some added help by acquiring Butch Goring from the Los Angeles Kings, and calling up rookie Ken Morrow who had played on the Gold Medal Wining US Hockey team. The Isles would go on to finish in 2nd place with a 39-28-13 record. In the playoffs the Islanders got off to a fast start beating the Los Angeles Kings in Game 1 by a score of 8-1. However, after Chico Resch allowed 6 goals in Game 2 Coach Al Arbour decided to stop the Isles goaltender rotation and allow Billy Smith to play the rest of the postseason. Game 3 would still be a nail bitter however, as Ken Morrow scored the game winner in overtime, as the Isles overcame a 3-1 deficit. The Islanders would go on to win the series in 4 games. The Islanders started to get momentum in the 2nd round as they won back to back overtime games on the road against the Boston Bruins on the way to taking the series in 5 games. In the semifinals for the 5th time in 6 years the Islanders were still looking for their first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Isles would get off to a fast start taking the first 3 games against the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres would make it interesting taking the next 2 games. In Game 6 the Isles continued to swoon as they fell behind 2-0. However, the Isles would come roaring back scoring 5 unanswered goals to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history. In the finals the Islanders faced the Philadelphia Flyers. In Game 1 in Philadelphia the Islanders got off to a fast start winning in overtime on a goal by Dennis Potvin. After the Flyers took Game 2 the Islanders dominated Games 3 and 4 at the Nassau Coliseum winning by a combined score of 11-4. After the Flyers took Game 5 in Philly the Islanders appeared to have the cup in their grasp with a 4-2 lead in the 3rd period at home. However, in fight filled battle the Flyers would rally to tie the game and send into overtime. In overtime Bob Nystrom who had left the ice earlier with an injury tipped a John Tonelli pass past Flyers goalie Pete Peeters at the 7:11 mark to give the Islanders their first Stanley Cup. Bryan Trottier who had 29 points in the playoffs would win the Conn Smythe trophy.

1980/81: Coming off their first Stanley Cup Championship the Islanders would get off to a fast start as Mike Bossy became just the second player in NHL history to tally 50 goals in 50 games. Bossy would go on to score 68 goals to lead the league as the Islanders finished in first place with a league best record of 48-18-14. In the playoffs the Islanders continued to roll dominating the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 3 game sweep in which they won by a combined score of 20-4. In the 2dn round the Islanders would need 6 games to get past the upstart Edmonton Oilers t o get back into the semifinals. In the Semifinals the Islanders would simply dominate their rivals from the big city beating the New York Rangers in 4 straight games by a combined score of 22-8, as Islanders fans taunted long suffering Rangers fans with a haunting chant of 1940, the last time the Rangers had won the Stanley Cup. As for the Islanders they would easily win their 2nd straight Stanley Cup jumping out to a 3-0 lead over the Minnesota North Stars before taking the series in 5 games, as Butch Goring won the Conn Smythe.

1981/82: Coming off their second straight Stanley Cup Championship the Islanders continued to dominate the rest of the NHL, which had been realigned into geographical divisions. Still in the Patrick Division the Islanders would win the regular season title for the 2nd straight season with an impressive record of 54-16-10. Along the way the Islanders would make history setting a record for the longest winning streak in NHL history at 15. In a new playoff format where you faced your division foes in the first 2 rounds the Islanders appeared to have a cakewalk on their hands as they beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first 2 games by a combined 15-3 score. However, as the series shifted to Pittsburgh the Penguins would rally and tie the series at 2 games apiece sending the series to a decisive 5th game. Things looked bleak for the Islanders who trailed the Penguins 3-1, despite out shooting their rivals 2-1, with less the 6 minutes to play in the 3rd period at the Nassau Coliseum. Mike McEwen would keep the Isles flickering hopes alive putting cutting the deficit to 3-2. Billy Smith would keep the game there, making several spectacular saves before John Tonelli tied the game and sent into overtime. In OT Tonelli would be the hero again as he scored the game winner.

1981/82: In the Patrick Division finals the Islanders would get off to a shaky start as they dropped Game 1 at home to the New York Rangers. However, once again they would taunt their Big City rivals as they won the next 3 games on the way to taking the series in 6 games. In the Wales Conference Finals the Islanders would find thing much easier as they swept the Quebec Nordiques in 4 straight to reach the Stanley Cup Finals where they faced the upstart Vancouver Canucks. Game 1 of the finals would be a shoot out as the Canucks scored 3 unanswered goals. However, the Isles would recover to send the game in to overtime on a goal by Mike Bossy. Bossy would go on to win the game in OT completing the hat trick. The rest of the series would be a breeze, as the Islanders went on to sweep the Canucks in 4 straight to become the first team based in the USA to win the Stanley Cup 3 straight seasons, as Bossy scored 7 goals in 4 games to win the Conn Smythe.

1982/83: Coming off their 3rd straight Stanley Cup Championship the Islanders appeared to be wearing down Bryan Trottier and Mike Bossy went through long goal scoring droughts and Billy Smith struggled through a stretch where he failed to win a game for 7 weeks. The Islanders would still make into the playoffs by finishing in 2nd place with a 42-26-12 record. However, most experts predicted the Isles would not make it through another cup run. In the playoffs the Islanders would knock of the Washington Capitals in 4 games to set up another battle with the New York Ranges in the Patrick Division Finals. Through the first 4 games to the 2 rivals would battle to a stalemate as both teams defended their home ice. Back on the Island for Game 5 the Isles exploded for 7 goals to take a 3-2 series lead. The Islanders would go on to take the series in 6 games. In the Conference Finals the Islanders jumped out to a 3-1 series lead before beating the Boston Burins in 6 games. Heading into Stanley Cup Finals the Isles were matched up against the high scoring Edmonton Oilers led by record breaking Wayne Gretzky who was smashing all offensive records. However, in Game 1 Billy Smith stone walled the Oilers as the Islanders too Game 1 in Edmonton 2-0. After winning Game 2 in Edmonton 6-3, the Islanders continued to frustrate the Gretzky at Nassau Coliseum limiting the high scoring Oilers to 3 goals over the last 2 games to complete the sweep and become just the 3rd team ever to win 4 straight Stanley Cups, and the first team other then the Montreal Canadiens to pull off the feat. Billy Smith who had shut down the Oilers would go on to win the Conn Smythe trophy.

1983/84: Seeking history to tie the Montreal Canadiens record for 5 straight Stanley Cup Championship the Islanders had another solid season capturing the Division title with a record of 50-26-4. However, in the first round of the playoffs the Inlanders were pushed against the ropes by the New York Rangers as they need a 4-1 win in Game 4 at the Garden to force a decisive 5th game at home. The Islanders need to rally again in Game 5 to send it into overtime where Ken Morrow kept the Isles hopes for a 5th straight cups alive with an overtime goal. In the Patrick Finals the Islanders would overcome a Game 1 loss to beat the Washington Capitals in 5 games to reach the Conference Finals. However, once again the Islanders would find themselves in a hole as they dropped the first 2 games on the road to the Montreal Canadiens. However, the Islanders would come roaring back to take the series in 6 games to set up a rematch with the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Finals. In Game 1 Billy Smith would frustrate the Oilers again limiting the high scoring team to just 1 goal. However, the Islanders were unable to hit the back of the net and lost 1-0. The Isles would recover to even the series a 1 with a 6-3 win in Game 2. However, as the series shifted to Edmonton the Oilers would explode scoring 19 goals in 3 games to capture the series in 5 games ending the Islanders dynasty.

1984/85: Seeking to reclaim the Stanley Cup the Islander showed some signs of age as they slipped into 3rd place with a record of 40-34-6. In the playoffs the Islander starred elimination in the face as they dropped the first 2 games on the road to the Washington Capitals in overtime. However, the Islanders would not give up as they rebounded to take the next 2 games at the Nassau Coliseum on the way to taking the series in 5 games with a hard fought 2-1 win on the road in Game 5. However, the Islanders hopes of a 6th straight trip to the Stanley Cup Finals were ended by the Philadelphia Flyers in 5 games in the Patrick Division Finals.

1985/86: The Islanders would continue to show signs of decline as Al Arbour resigned in the middle of the season as the Islanders finished in 3rd place again under new Coach Terry Simpson, with a record of 39-29-12. In the playoffs the Islanders would face the Washington Capitals again dropping the first 2 games on the road. However, this time there would be no comeback as the Islanders are swept in 3 straight games. Following the season the pieces of the Stanley Cup dynasty would begin to leave as Bob Nystrom retired and Clark Gilles was dealt to the Buffalo Sabres.

1986/87: The Islanders would play mediocre hockey all season as they finished in 3rd place again with a record of 35-33-12. In the playoffs the Islanders were matched up against the Washington Capitals again as they fell behind 3 games to 1, after losing Game 3 and 4 at home by a combined score of 6-1. Fortunately the Islanders the first round series was changed to a best of 7 giving the Islanders a chance to comeback. The Isles would keep their hopes alive by taking Game 5 in Washington by a score of 4-2. They would force a 7th game with a 5-4 win at home. Back in Washington for Game 7 the Islanders would rally again to send the game to overtime where the 2 teams would battle deep into the night before Pat LaFonatine launched the Islanders into the Patrick Division Finals with a goal in the 4th overtime period. In the Patrick Finals against the Philadelphia Flyers the Islanders found themselves down 3-1 again, only to force a 7th game. However, there would be no comeback this time as the Flyers took Game 7 with a 5-1 win. Following the season Mike Bossy would become the latest vital piece of the Stanley Cup Dynasty to retire.

1987/88: The Islanders would remerge atop the Patrick Division with a record of 39-31-10, in a season in which the first place Islander and last place Pittsburgh Penguins were only separated by 7 points. In the playoffs the Islanders would make a quick exit as they are stunned by the upstart New Jersey Devils in 6 games. Following the season Dennis Potvin would become the latest vital piece of the dynasty to retire.

1988/89: The Islanders downfall would continue as they got off to a terrible 7-22-2 start. Not even the return of Coach Al Arbour could save the Islanders from finishing last place as they posted a terrible record of 28-47-5 missing the playoffs for the first time in 15 years. Along the way Billy Smith's stellar career came to an end with an awful record of 3-11-0.

1989/90: With new players like Patrick Flatley, Pat LaFontaine and Doug Corssman now leading the team the players that once Islanders dynasty continued to retire or be traded away. The young Islanders would get off to a terrible start winning just 4 of their first 20 games. However, under the tutelage of Coach Al Arbour the young Islanders would make it over to the .500 mark in mid January. After a March losing streak it appeared as if the Isles would miss the playoffs again. However, the Islander managed to sneak into the playoffs by finishing in 4th place with a record of 31-38-11 beating the Philadelphia Flyers on the final day of the regular season to sneak into the playoffs by 1 point. In the playoffs the Islanders would find a familiar foe in the New York Rangers. However, they would barely put up a fight as the Rangers took the series easily in 5 games. Following the season Bryan Trottier would become the latest star of the dynasty years to depart as he was picked up by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

1990/91: With the stars of the dynasty all gone the Islanders young nucleus struggle finishing in last place for the 2nd time in 3 years with an awful record of 25-45-10.

1991/92: Things continued to be tough for the Islanders who were forced to trade Pat LaFontaine early in the season for Pierre Turgeon, after an ugly hold out throughout the preseason and into the start of the regular season. Turgeon would be a more then suitable replacement as he led the Isles with87 points. However, the Islanders would go on to miss the playoffs again with a record of 34-35-11. Following the season GM Bill Torrey who built the Stanley Cup Dynasty would retire.

1992/93: Pierre Turgeon ha spectacular season scoring 58-goals and tallying 74 assists to lead the Islanders back into the playoffs with a record of 40-37-7 which was good enough for 3rd place. In the playoffs the Islanders would stun the Washington Capitals jumping out to a 3-1 lead with 3 consecutive overtimes wins. After the Caps took Game 5 the Islanders completed the upset with a 5-3 win in Game 6 at home. However, the Islanders would lose Pierre Turgeon to a concussion when he is blindsided by Dale Hunter while celebrating the Isles 5th goal. Without Turgeon most expected the 2-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins to walk all over the Islanders. However, the Islanders gave the Penguins all they could handle as they forced a 7th game with a 7-5 win at the Nassau Coliseum in Game 6. The Islanders would go on to complete the upset in Game 7 as David Volek scored in overtime. In the Conference Finals against the Montreal Canadiens the Islanders would get a boost as Pierre Turgeon came back from his injuries suffered by the cheap shot. However it was not enough as the Islanders are knocked off in 5 games.

1993/94: Despite backstopping a run to the Conference Finals the Islanders let Goalie Glenn Healy go, while acquiring Ron Hextall from the Quebec Nordiques. The Islanders appeared to be doomed to missing the playoffs again. However, the Islanders began April with an 8-game unbeaten streak to claim the 8th and final playoff seed with a record of 36-36-12. In the playoffs the Islanders would play the New York Rangers who had won the President's Trophy with the best record in the NHL. Through out the season the Isles gave the Rangers all they could handle losing just 1 of 5 games. However in the playoffs it was clear early things would be different. In Game 1 the Rangers dominated the Islanders with a 6-0 win. Hoping to change their fortunes the Islanders changed goalies in Game 2 as Jamie McLennan replaced Ron Hextall. However, the result was the same 6-0. As the series shifted to Nassau Coliseum the Islander would not fair much better as the Rangers completed the sweep out scoring the Isles in the 4-game series 22-3. Following the season Coach Al Arbour would retire again, as the Islanders were put up for sale.

1994/95: Under new Coach Lorne Henning the Islanders were clearly in the start of another rebuilding project as they finished in last place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 15-28-5 in a season cut in half by a 4-month lockout. Down the stretch as the Islanders fell out of the race the team would trade away Pierre Turegon and Benoit Hogue in separate deals.

1995/96: Under new Coach Mike Milburry the Islanders had a new look. Gone was the traditional NY logo, which was replaced by an awful fisherman logo that looked just like The Gorton's Fisherman. Isles fans rejected the logo while opposing fans taunt the Islanders with calls of "We want Fishsticks." The year would be a total disaster as the Islanders finished in last place again with an awful record of 22-50-10. Along the way the Islanders fired GM Don Maloney who fans blamed for the team's downfall as Mike Millbury added GM to his list of duties with Islanders. In addition the Islanders would be sold to John Spano for $165 million dollars as the season wound down.

1996/97: The Islanders celebrated their 25th anniversary with the news that their unpopular fisherman logo was being put out to sea. However, since the team failed to make the deadline for a uniform and logo change fans would have to the Isles had to endure the calls of fishtsticks one more season. However, the Islanders often wore a 3rd jersey featuring the classic NY logo. The Islanders would finish in last place again with a record of 29-41-12. However, with rookie defenseman Bryan Berard posting 40 assists while capturing the Calder Trophy the Isles appeared to be heading in the right direction.

1997/98: The Islanders would be thrown into a state of uncertainty as Owner John Spano failed to make payments on a loan used to purchase the team. In July Spano was forced to relinquish control of the club as he was arrested on federal charges of bank and wire fraud. Eventually the club would be sold to a group headed by Howard Milstein and Steve Gluckstern for $195 million. Despite the uncertainty the Islanders would show some improvement finishing in 4th pace with a 30-41-11 record.

1998/99: Owners Howard Milstein and Steve Gluckstern upset over the condition of the Nassau Coliseum threatened to move the team. However bound by a lease that did not expire until 2015 the Islanders were forced to stay put. Protesting the conditions of the Coliseum and stating the team could not make money the Islanders cut payroll drastically trading away the foundation for prospects, and trading budding prospects who were about to start earning big money for draft picks. Amidst the mess the Islanders crashed into last place missing the playoffs fro the 5th straight season with an awful 24-48-10 record that was worse then the expansion Nashville Predators.

1999/00: The Islanders celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the start of their Stanley Cup Dynasty, in state of chaos. The Islanders fell to the bottom in attendance as fans felt the team was not even trying, as every player that started to develop was traded away. The Islanders would finish in last place again with a 24-49-9-1 record, as a for sale sign hung around their necks all season. Following the season a buyer was found as Charles Wang paid $190 million for the struggling franchise.

2000/01: Under new ownership the Islanders continued to struggle as they finished in last place again with an awful record of 21-51-7-3. However, signs the team was heading in the right direction where all around as owner Charles Wang paid to have the Nassau Coliseum renovated. In the off-season Wang would help renovate the Islanders as he green lighted deals that would see the Islanders take on the big contracts of Alexei Yashin and Michael Peca.

2001/02: The addition of Michael Peca and Alexei Yashin brought credibility back to the Islanders who would get off to a flying start under new Coach Peter Laviolette, as they got at least 1 point their first 11 games to compile a 9-0-1-1 record. The Islanders would go on to make the playoffs for the first time in 8 years with a record of 42-28-8-4 which was good enough for 2nd place, as Peca earned recognition as the best 2-way forward winning the Selke Trophy. In the playoffs the Islanders would battle the Toronto Maple Leafs in one of the roughest series in NHL history, as several players on each side suffered serious injuries, including Michael Peca. Eventually the Islanders would fall in 7 games as the loss of Peca proved to be the back breaker.

2002/03: With Michael Peca missing the first 6 weeks of the season due to the lingering effects of a knee injury suffered in the playoffs the Islanders got off to a sluggish start posting a 3-9-1 record in their first 13 games. Upon Peca's return the Islanders rebounded and were able to climb back to the .500 mark on New Year's Eve. The Islanders continued to play well through January and February despite a less then stellar season from Alexei Yashin. Down the stretch the Isles made several deals trying to strengthen themselves for a playoff run including acquiring defenseman Jannne Niinimaa from the Edmonton Oilers at the trade deadline. Despite the trades the Islanders struggled at the end of the season as they won just 3 of their final 11 games. However, it would still be good enough to hold off the New York Rangers for the final playoff spot with a record of 35-34-11-2. In the playoffs the Islanders got off to a strong start stunning the President's Trophy Champion Ottawa Senators 3-0 in Game 1. After the Senators even the series with a 3-0 win in Game 2 the Islanders missed an opportunity to gain back control of the series by blowing a 2-1 lead heading into the 3rd period of Game 3 at the Coliseum as the Senators won in overtime 3-2. After their heartbreaking loss in OT the Islanders would bow out quietly losing the next 2 games as the Senators won the series in 5 games. Following the season the Islanders would stun their fans by firing Coach Peter Laviolette and replacing him with Steve Stirling.

2003/04: It was a year of injury and frustration for Alexei Yashin who played in just 47 games while scoring just 15 goals as he was hampered by injuries all season. However, the Islanders played good enough again to slip into the playoffs with the 8th seed finishing 3rd in the Atlantic Division with a record of 38-29-11-4. As rookie Trent Hunter helped pick up the slack with a team high 25 goals. In the playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning the Islanders spilt the first 2 games on the road as each team traded 3-0 victories. However coming home the Isles struggled in the playoffs for the second straight year as they were blanked 3-0 in Games 3 and 4 as the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Lightning went on to take the series in 5 games.

2004/05: Season Cancelled Due to Lock Out

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