Eyes On Isles
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Islanders Best Chance to Break New York Title Drought

By Billy Lewis

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 07: The New York Islanders stand for the national anthem prior to Game One of the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on September 07, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 07: The New York Islanders stand for the national anthem prior to Game One of the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on September 07, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Between the four major sports, New York (or New Jersey) hosts nine teams, the Islanders, Rangers, Devils, Yankees, Mets, Jets, Giants, Knicks, and Nets. The last time one of those nine teams won a championship was February 5, 2012, when the Giants won the Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles won two championships in a span of 16 days. The Lakers won the NBA Championship on October 11, 2020, and the Dodgers won the World Series on October 16, 2020.

The Islanders have recently gone the farthest in the playoffs of any New York team. While they went to Game 6 of the Conference Finals, the Yankees went to Game 5 (though a winner-take-all game) of Major League Baseball’s equivalent of the Conference Semi-Finals.

Islanders Biggest New York Competition

As the teams currently stand, the three legitimate championship threats in New York are the Islanders, Yankees, and Brooklyn Nets. The Nets could make a great case as they have three superstars (Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden).

The Yankees have been one of the better baseball teams in the past five seasons, but have not been to the World Series since 2009. They have a great team but still have a few question marks in regards to their rosters.

The Isles might be the best “team” of the bunch. They have brought in to Barry Trotz’s system and that has helped change the culture of the team.

Islanders Unfinished Business

Losing in Game 6 to the Lightning has left a bad taste in the Islanders’ mouth. After the season resumed in the Bubble, the Isles showed what they are capable of. The Lightning were a great team last season and bowing out to the eventual Cup Champions is honorable.

After overachieving in year one under Trotz, ending so close to the Stanley Cup Finals showed them what they could accomplish.

Next. Islanders Three Positive Trends in 2021

This season the Stanley Cup Final should finish by July 9th. The NBA Finals’ last day would be July 22.  Hopefully, this season concludes with the Islanders winning the first New York Championship of the decade.

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