1983 Stanley Cup Finals Game 6

Lore & Background

The Islanders became the second team in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup four straight times, joining the Montreal Canadiens. This was the fourth straight Finals of post-1967 expansion teams. The Oilers, a former World Hockey Association (WHA) franchise, stunned NHL loyalists by reaching the Finals just four years after the NHL-WHA merger. The Oilers even had the better record of the two teams, although under the format in place since the previous Final, Edmonton received home ice advantage on account of being the Campbell champion, which at the time received that advantage in odd numbered years. This is also the most recent time that an NHL team has won the Cup four years in a row, and also the first (and, to date, only) time a North American professional sports team has won four consecutive titles in any league competition with more than twenty teams.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Nassau Coliseum was thick with humidity and anticipation as the final seconds of regulation ticked away. The scoreboard read 4-1 in favor of New York, a stark contrast to the Oilers' high-powered offense that had terrified opponents all season. As Billy Smith made one last routine save to seal the deal, the roar of the crowd became a physical force, shaking the rafters. It wasn't just a win; it was a coronation. Players embraced on the ice, tears mixing with sweat, knowing they had secured their place in hockey immortality.

Reader's Guide

The series was a four-game sweep. Billy Smith limited the Oilers to just six goals in the four games, and shut them out in seven out of twelve periods. In his first appearance in the Final, Wayne Gretzky assisted on four of the Oilers' six goals but failed to score himself. The Islanders' tactics were described as a 'rope-a-dope', using their experience and patience to hang on in the face of the Oilers' furious attack. The Sutter brothers, Duane and Brent, led with seven and five points, respectively in the first three games. Bossy netted his second Stanley Cup-winning goal. After game four, the Oilers players walked past the Islanders' dressing room and noticed many of the Islanders players exhausted and covered in ice packs rather than wildly celebrating, with Wayne Gretzky suggesting that this gave the Oilers inspiration that they needed in order to win next year.

Did You Know?

• Billy Smith made 35 saves for a shutout in game one.
• The Oilers would credit the Islanders' subdued post-series locker room celebration as teaching them the level of sacrifice and dedication needed to be champions.
• The 1983 Final was the only time between 1982 and an unspecified year that the Stanley Cup wasn't presented in Western Canada.
• This was the first Finals games played in Alberta.

Historical Dynasty and Records

The New York Islanders cemented their place in history by sweeping the Edmonton Oilers to secure their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup championship. This achievement made them only the second franchise in NHL history to win four straight titles, joining the legendary Montreal Canadiens. Beyond hockey, this remains the most recent instance of a North American professional sports team winning four consecutive championships within any league competition featuring more than twenty teams. While the New York Yankees achieved similar dynasties in baseball during the 1930s and 1950s, no other franchise has matched this specific standard since. The Islanders' dominance stands out even more when considering that since 1983, no NHL team has managed to win more than two consecutive championships, with the Florida Panthers noted as the most recent example in 2024 and 2025. This series represented the culmination of a remarkable run where the defending champions maintained their grip on the trophy despite facing a surging Western Conference opponent in their first-ever Finals appearance. The sweep completed a dynasty that would remain unmatched for decades in terms of consecutive titles within the modern era.

Edmonton's Playoff Path and Geography

Edmonton's journey to this series was nothing short of explosive, marking their first-ever appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals just four years after the NHL-WHA merger. As a former World Hockey Association franchise, they stunned loyalists by reaching the championship stage so quickly. Their playoff run included dominant victories over the Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, and Chicago Black Hawks, where they won eleven of twelve games and outscored opponents seventy-four to thirty-three. Despite holding the better regular-season record than New York, the Oilers received home ice advantage because the Campbell Conference champion held that privilege in odd-numbered years under the format at the time. This was also a historic geographic milestone; while Edmonton teams had contested finals previously, 1983 marked the first time Stanley Cup Final games were actually played within Alberta. It remained the only instance between 1982 and 1988 that the trophy was not presented in Western Canada, highlighting the unique nature of this matchup between established Eastern powerhouses and rising Western talent.

Goalie Controversy and Tactical Defense

Goalie Billy Smith was instrumental in limiting Edmonton to just six goals across the four games, recording shutouts in seven out of twelve periods played. His performance drew intense criticism from the Edmonton Journal, which labeled him "PUBLIC ENEMY NO. 1" and "Mr. Obnoxious" due to his slashes and feigned injuries. Tensions rose when a slash on Glenn Anderson's knee prevented practice, prompting coach Glen Sather to unsuccessfully seek a match penalty before suggesting retaliation in the press. Smith warned that if Edmonton players targeted him, Wayne Gretzky could become the victim. On ice, Islanders employed a "rope-a-dope" strategy against the superstar, allowing long shots from poor angles while keeping rebounds clear for Smith. Although Gretzky assisted on four of Edmonton's six goals, he failed to score personally as defenders checked him immediately upon receiving possession. Mike Bossy ultimately netted his second Stanley Cup-winning goal in Game Four to seal the victory for New York.

Locker Room Lessons and Future Legacy

A defining moment occurred after Game Four, when Oilers players walked past the Islanders' dressing room and observed their opponents exhausted and covered in ice packs rather than celebrating wildly. This subdued post-series reaction taught Edmonton the level of sacrifice required to become champions. Wayne Gretzky noted that witnessing this dedication gave his team inspiration for future success. The lesson proved effective; the Oilers went on to win four Stanley Cups within the next five seasons, securing five overall by 1990. Geographically, this series was significant as the second of nine consecutive Finals contested by a Western Canadian team and the first of eight featuring an Alberta franchise, with the Oilers playing in six and the Calgary Flames in two. Although Edmonton had played in finals previously, those earlier contests were held elsewhere. This specific matchup highlighted the shifting balance of power in the league, setting the stage for the Oilers' own dynasty while solidifying New York's status as the last team to achieve a four-year winning streak in major North American professional sports history.