Skip to main content
Eyes On Isles
Fansided

The NY Islanders' Stanley Finals drought reaches 41 seasons

ByMichael Stahurski|
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
May 29, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; The Carolina Hurricanes and NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly pose for a photo with the Prince of Wales Trophy after Carolina defeated the Montreal Canadiens in game five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
May 29, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; The Carolina Hurricanes and NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly pose for a photo with the Prince of Wales Trophy after Carolina defeated the Montreal Canadiens in game five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images | James Guillory-Imagn Images

After Game 5 of last night's Eastern Conference Finals went the way of the Carolina Hurricanes, the Stanley Cup Finals matchup is set as the Canes will take on the Vegas Knights.

For those who watched last night's broadcast on TNT, there was plenty of talk regarding the Hurricanes' first Finals appearance since the 2005-06 season when they ultimately hoisted Lord Stanley's Cup.

Though 20 years is a long time to wait to once again have the opportunity to reach the pinnacle, the NY Islanders have doubled the 20 years the Hurricanes have waited, as the drought hits 41 years. Only two teams have longer active streaks than the Islanders. The Toronto Maple Leafs, whose last appearance was in 1967, and the Winnipeg Jets/Arizona Coyotes, who went 45 years without ever making a finals appearance.

To this day, the Islanders' four straight Stanley Cup triumphs are celebrated throughout the organization. Four was nearly five until the Edmonton Oilers finally got their revenge on the Islanders in 1983-84. But for those under 50 years old, there hasn't been much to celebrate regarding their hockey fandom in their lifetime.

Aside from going 41 years without a Stanley Cup Finals appearance, the Islanders have reached the Conference Finals just three times. In 1993, there was the infamous cheap shot from Dale Hunter on Pierre Turgeon that likely spoiled the Islanders' chances in the Conference Finals against the Montreal Canadiens.

The Islanders reached back-to-back Conference/Semi-Finals in 2020 and 2021, falling to teh Tampa Bay Lightning in the bubble in 2020 and again in a brutal seven-game series in 2021, surrendering a short-handed goal to Yanni Gourde as the only goal of the game.

Though the Islanders faltered down the stretch this season, the organization is headed in the right direction, with young players currently contributing and others waiting for the chance to make an impact. Though they may be acouple years away from becoming a serious threat, hopefully we can see the Islanders snap the streak in the coming years,

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Home/NY Islanders News