1981 Stanley Cup

Lore & Background

The Islanders became the sixth franchise to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. This would be the last all-American Finals until 1991, when the North Stars faced the Pittsburgh Penguins. Butch Goring won the Conn Smythe Trophy as Most Valuable Player in the playoffs.

In Their Own Story

The ice at Nassau Coliseum felt colder than usual as the final horn sounded in Game Six. Smoke from flares filled the arena, blurring the vision of players who were too exhausted to skate but too joyful to stop celebrating. Billy Smith, his mask scuffed and jersey soaked, looked up to see the banner being lowered for the first time. It wasn't just a trophy; it was proof that the little team from Long Island had conquered the giants of the NHL.

Reader's Guide

Minnesota defeated the Boston Bruins 3–0, the Buffalo Sabres 4–1 and the Calgary Flames 4–2 to advance to the Final. New York defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3–0, the Edmonton Oilers 4–2, and the New York Rangers 4–0 to reach the Final. The Islanders won the series in five games.

Did You Know?

• Dino Ciccarelli of the North Stars set a rookie record (since tied by Ville Leino in 2010), scoring twenty-one points (14 goals and seven assists) during the year's playoffs.
• Butch Goring recorded a hat trick in game three.
• Billy Smith made 24 saves in game five to clinch the series.
• The series aired on CBC in Canada and on the USA Network in the United States, with USA simulcasting the CBC feed.