New York Islanders

Lore & Background

The team was founded in 1972 as part of the NHL's maneuvers to keep a team from rival league World Hockey Association (WHA) out of the newly built Nassau Coliseum in suburban Uniondale, New York. After two years of building up the team's roster, they found almost instant success by securing 14 straight playoff berths starting with their third season. The Islanders won four consecutive Stanley Cup championships between 1980 and 1983, the eighth of nine dynasties recognized by the NHL in its history. Their 19 consecutive playoff series wins between 1980 and 1984 is a feat that remains unparalleled in the history of professional sports. They are the last team in any major professional North American sport to win four consecutive championships, and to date the last NHL team to achieve a three-peat. Following the team's dynasty era, the franchise ran into problems with money, ownership and management, an aging arena, and low attendance. Their woes were reflected on the ice, as the team has not won a division title since 1987–88, and went 22 seasons without winning a playoff series prior to the 2016 playoffs. After years of failed attempts to rebuild or replace Nassau Coliseum in suburban Long Island, the Islanders relocated to Barclays Center in Brooklyn following the 2014–15 season. In the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons, the Islanders split their home games between Barclays Center and Nassau Coliseum. The Islanders played all their home games in the 2020–21 season at Nassau Coliseum. Their new arena near Belmont Park was opened in 2021.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of the season shifted dramatically once the Islanders secured their playoff spot against the Rangers. In the First Round, they dismantled the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games, with Game 6 serving as a nostalgic milestone for the franchise at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Following that victory, the team advanced to face the Boston Bruins in the Second Round. The Islanders defeated Boston in six games, continuing their deep postseason run. Reseeded as the third seed in the Stanley Cup Semifinals, they met the Tampa Bay Lightning. The series went the full distance, with New York ultimately falling in seven games, ending a remarkable campaign that had seen them navigate a pandemic-shortened season and return home to a cheering crowd.

Reader's Guide

Ten former members of the Islanders have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, seven of whom—Mike Bossy, Clark Gillies, Denis Potvin, Billy Smith, Bryan Trottier, coach Al Arbour, and general manager Bill Torrey—were members of all four Cup-winning teams. Post-dynasty players Pat LaFontaine, Roberto Luongo, Pierre Turgeon, and Zdeno Chara were also inducted.

Did You Know?

• The Islanders' first win came on October 12, 1972, in a 3–2 game against the Los Angeles Kings.
• On January 18, 1973, the Islanders defeated the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins 9–7.
• The Islanders' 19 consecutive playoff series wins between 1980 and 1984 is a feat that remains unparalleled in the history of professional sports.