Flashback Friday: New York Islanders, The Dynasty: Part 2

After hoisting their first ever Lord Stanley, the Islanders did not slow down. Leading the 1981 season was Mike Bossy who scored a magnificent 50 goals in 50 games and led the team to the Stanley Cup once again. After only suffering three losses in playoff performances, the Islanders sent the Minnesota North Stars packing in five games. Butch Goering also picked up the Conn Smythe Trophy. Here’s a real in depth look at the amazing 1981 season:

However, the Islanders weren’t done taking care of business. Setting the bar even higher was their then record of 15 straight wins in a row. This lead to a franchise record of 118 points. The star of the season was once again Mike Bossy as he set a record of 147 points in 80 games for a right winger. Bossy also scored the game winner in the Stanley Cup final versus the upstart Vancouver Canucks AND picked up the Conn Smythe. The Canucks were playing in their first ever Stanley Cup Final and took the NHL world by surprise. In game 1, Dave “Tiger” Williams checked Bossy and somehow Bossy miraculously hooked the puck over and notched it in. Take a look at the intensity of game 4 in its entirity.

Coming off their 3rd straight Stanley Cup victory was no easy feat. The Islanders however, came out with guns blazed in the 1982-1983 season and was looking to complete the dynasty. Only one person and one team stood in their way of capturing that feat….

Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers.

The Great One and the Oilers had everyone’s attention. Finishing a top of the regular season standings, they were a shoe in and were the favourite to win the Stanley Cup and stop the Islanders dominance single handedly. However, as a young kid on a young team, the Islanders took advantage of Gretzky and swept the Oilers in four straight games to capture their fourth straight Stanley Cup. Billy Smith took home Most Valuable Player honours and Mike Bossy once again scored the Cup clinching goal. Listen as Gretzky describes the moment he realized how much it took to win the Stanley Cup:

And in true hockey fashion, it was only a matter of time that the Islanders luck would run out.