First Stanley Cup Victory (1984)

Lore & Background

The Oilers were not the fastest Canadian-based expansion team to win a major sports title, as the Toronto Maple Leafs (as the Toronto Arenas) won the Stanley Cup in their first NHL season and the Montreal Canadiens won in their second. This was not the last time the Islanders appeared in the Stanley Cup Final, as they returned in 2020. Their Finals appearance drought from 1984 to 2020 was 36 years, and as of 2024, it is no longer a current drought.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Northlands Coliseum is thick with tension, smelling faintly of popcorn and cold ice. It is Game Five, May 23, 1984. The scoreboard reads 5-0 in favor of Edmonton; the Islanders are crumbling under the weight of Gretzky's brilliance. As the final buzzer sounds, a roar erupts that shakes the rafters, drowning out the referee's whistle. Wayne Gretzky skates toward center ice, his stick raised high, as confetti begins to drift down like snow in July. Mark Messier lifts the Stanley Cup above his head for the first time, tears mixing with sweat, while the entire city of Edmonton seems to hold its breath before exploding into celebration.

Reader's Guide

The series was played under a 2–3–2 format. The Oilers won games 1, 3, 4, and 5. Grant Fuhr shut out the Islanders in game one. The Islanders won game two 6–1. The Oilers won game three 7–2, game four 7–2, and game five 5–2. Mark Messier was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

Did You Know?

• The Oilers were the first former WHA team to win the Stanley Cup.
• Grant Fuhr was the first black player to win the Stanley Cup.
• Jari Kurri was the first Finnish-born-trained player to win the Stanley Cup.
• Jaroslav Pouzar was not the first Czechoslovak-born player to win the Stanley Cup; Stan Mikita (born in Czechoslovakia) won with Chicago in 1961.