1983: Islanders and Oilers Collide

The year is 1983. The most anticipated Stanley Cup final in years takes place, as the 3 time defending Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders face off against the highest scoring team in NHL history - the Edmonton Oilers.

The Islanders had worked hard to establish themselves as perhaps the greatest team in NHL history, but they had a serious dislike for the cocky Oilers. This as much as anything motivated the Islanders on to their 4th Stanley Cup title in as many years.

The Islanders didn't just win, they completely humbled the high scoring Edmontonians. The Oilers scored 424 goals in the regular season, but could only must 6 in the 4 game finals loss. Wayne Gretzky scored 71 goals in the regular season, and another 12 goals and 38 points in these playoffs. But the Islanders great checking and the belligerent goaltender Billy Smith kept #99 off of the score sheet.

Smith was the story of the finals, slashing and hacking at Oilers forwards and infamously taking a dive to draw a five minute spearing major against Glenn Anderson. His 1.50 GAA against the Oilers scoring machine was a convincing argument for his Conn Smythe trophy win.

Denis Potvin played this series with a heavy heart. His ailing father was near death, but the two made a pact: Denis would win the Cup if his father fought for his life. In a happy ending, Denis' father was in attendance when his son lifted the Stanley Cup for the 4th and what proved to be final time.

The Sutter brothers, Duane and Brent, were the unlikely scoring heroes in the finals, with Duane leading all players with 7 points in 4 games, and Brent right behind with 5.

As for the Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey and the Edmonton Oilers, they learned a great lesson in their Stanley Cup set back. Kevin Lowe said it best in his autobiography when he and Gretzky were shocked as they walked by the Islanders dressing room on the way out of the rink. The Islanders were not in the midst of a grand celebration, but rather busy attending to their numerous bumps and bruises. Lowe said that was when they realized what it took to be champions.

1981: Cinderella North Stars Can't Upset Islanders

The year is 1981. The New York Islanders successfully defend their first Stanley Cup championship, knocking off the Minnesota North Stars 4 games to 1.

The North Stars were an interesting team blessed with talent that, for whatever reason, never really had much success. But the stars were aligned for them in 1981, as their playoff road was smooth until meeting the Islanders in the finals.

The North Stars are led by Bobby Smith, Al MacAdam and the surprising Steve Payne. Payne equals the Islanders' Mike Bossy with 17 goals in just 19 games, the second best total in NHL history. Payne would finish second to Bossy in the point scoring derby, with 29 compared to 35.

Another key Minnesota North Star is rookie winger Dino Ciccarelli. While Dino would become one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history, in 1981 he was an undrafted rookie coming off of a badly shattered leg injury in junior. This spring he would prove he could play, setting NHL rookie playoff records with 17 goals and 21 points.

Goalie Gilles Meloche would prove to be no match for the Islanders net keeper Billy Smith, as the Islanders outscored the North Stars 26-16 in the 5 game finals. Butch Goring would lead the Islanders with 5 goals in the finals, enough to earn him the Conn Smythe Trophy.

By the way, the Stanley Cup engravers badly misspelled the championship entry, referring to them as the "New York Ilanders."

1980: New York Islanders Win Stanley Cup

The year is 1980. With a new decade comes a new champion, and, as it turns out, a new dynasty.

After years of promise but disappointment, the New York Islanders finally emerge as the best team in hockey. They would win their Stanley Cup in franchise history in 1980, but not loosen their grip on Lord Stanley's chalice for 4 years.

The Islanders were powered by the big four - Billy Smith in net, Denis Potvin on defense and Mike Bossy and playoff MVP Bryan Trottier up front. Clark Gillies, Butch Goring, and John Tonelli provided much of the grit and guts, while Bobby Nystrom provided the everlasting image of the Islanders' championship reign: