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1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983

The Dynasty

Four consecutive seasons. Four Stanley Cup championships. An unmatched record of 19 consecutive playoff series wins. This is the complete story of the dynasty.

4
Consecutive
Championships
19
Playoff Series
Win Streak
54
Regular Season
Wins (1981-82)
118
Points
(1981-82)
1979–80
★ Stanley Cup Champions Regular Season: 39-28-13 • 91 pts 2nd Patrick Division

The Islanders' first Stanley Cup championship. They defeated the defending champion Philadelphia Flyers in six games. Bob Nystrom scored the overtime Cup winner at 7:11 of the first overtime period in Game 6.

CONN SMYTHE TROPHY: Bryan Trottier

Playoff Run

Preliminary Round vs. Los Angeles Kings W 3-1 The Islanders opened the playoffs against the Kings and dispatched them in four games.
Quarterfinals vs. Boston Bruins W 4-1 Boston was handled in five games. Denis Potvin was dominant on the blue line.
Semifinals vs. Buffalo Sabres W 4-2 The Islanders took six games to get past Buffalo and advance to their first Cup Final.
Stanley Cup Final vs. Philadelphia Flyers W 4-2 Bob Nystrom's overtime goal in Game 6 gave the Islanders their first Stanley Cup championship. Bryan Trottier won the Conn Smythe.
1980–81
★ Stanley Cup Champions Regular Season: 48-18-14 • 110 pts 1st Patrick Division

The Islanders swept through the playoffs losing only 3 games total. Butch Goring, acquired at the trade deadline from Los Angeles, was the catalyst. Mike Bossy scored 35 goals during the regular season and added 17 in the playoffs.

CONN SMYTHE TROPHY: Butch Goring

Playoff Run

Preliminary Round vs. Toronto Maple Leafs W 3-0 A quick sweep to open the Islanders' title defense.
Quarterfinals vs. Edmonton Oilers W 4-2 A preview of the dynasty's greatest rivalry. The Islanders held off the Oilers in six games.
Semifinals vs. New York Rangers W 4-0 A cross-town sweep of the Rangers, one of the most satisfying results for the Islanders faithful.
Stanley Cup Final vs. Minnesota North Stars W 4-1 Butch Goring was the catalyst, winning the Conn Smythe as MVP. The Islanders lost only 3 games total in the entire playoffs.
1981–82
★ Stanley Cup Champions Regular Season: 54-16-10 • 118 pts 1st Patrick Division

The Islanders set franchise records with 54 wins and 118 points. Mike Bossy scored 64 goals during the regular season. The dynasty was now official. They swept Vancouver in the Finals.

CONN SMYTHE TROPHY: Mike Bossy

Playoff Run

Division Semifinals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins W 3-2 A near-disaster. The Islanders trailed 3-1 but rallied, with John Tonelli scoring the overtime winner in Game 5.
Division Finals vs. New York Rangers W 4-2 The Rangers took the first game on Long Island but the Islanders recovered to win the series in six.
Conference Finals vs. Quebec Nordiques W 4-0 A sweep of the Nordiques. The Islanders were rolling.
Stanley Cup Final vs. Vancouver Canucks W 4-0 A sweep of Vancouver. Mike Bossy won the Conn Smythe. The dynasty was now official.
1982–83
★ Stanley Cup Champions Regular Season: 42-26-12 • 96 pts 2nd Patrick Division

The Islanders swept Wayne Gretzky's Edmonton Oilers to win their fourth consecutive Cup. Goalie Billy Smith was masterful, holding Gretzky scoreless in the series. The Oilers' dressing room was silent; learning what it takes to win from the Islanders would fuel their own dynasty.

CONN SMYTHE TROPHY: Billy Smith

Playoff Run

Division Semifinals vs. Washington Capitals W 3-1 The Islanders handled Washington in four games to open the defense of their third Cup.
Division Finals vs. New York Rangers W 4-2 The Rangers once again fell to the Islanders, this time in six games.
Conference Finals vs. Boston Bruins W 4-2 Boston pushed the Islanders to six games but ultimately could not stop the dynasty machine.
Stanley Cup Final vs. Edmonton Oilers W 4-0 The Islanders swept Gretzky's Oilers. Billy Smith was magnificent, and Gretzky failed to score a goal in the series. Smith won the Conn Smythe.

1984 — The End of the Streak

In 1984, the Islanders reached their fifth consecutive Stanley Cup Final — but fell to the Edmonton Oilers in five games. The 19-game series win streak was snapped. Wayne Gretzky and the Oilers, having learned what it took to win by watching the Islanders in 1983, began their own dynasty. But the record was already set, and it remains unbroken today.