Scott Rathburn: NHL 198 - 1981 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Source:The New Democrat

I wish NHL Network, ESPN Classic and perhaps ESPN in general did more NHL history and showed more not just NHL classic games and not just in the offseason, but in the regular season, than they do now. Because even though I'm clearly not a hockey expert and it is at best my third or fourth sport that I follow and I'm not nearly the sports fan that I was as a kid, hockey is still pretty interesting to me and I would like to learn more about the history of the NHL. And seeing films and documentaries and old games allows for fans to do that.

Again no NHL or hockey expert here, but I do know that 1981 was the second of four straight Stanley Cups for the Long Island, soon to be Brooklyn Islanders as I call them. The Islanders of the early 1980s were very similar to the Edmonton Oilers of the mid and late 1980s. They had a lot of firepower led by Mike Bossy and many others. Great goaltending with Billy Smith and a very good defense in front of Smith with a great head coach in Al Arbor.

The NHL of the early 1980s was in a transitional period. With the Montreal Canadians having dominated the NHL in the 1970s, winning like four Stanley Cups. The power in the NHL was headed South to America with the Islanders and even West in Canada with the Oilers and Calgary Flames. Which was good for NHL fans because you didn't know who was going to win the cup every year. Because you had at least three very strong Canadian teams and several strong American teams every year. 

Pittsburgh Penguins TV: NHL 1991- Stanley Cup Finals Game 6: Pittsburgh Penguins @ Minnesota North Stars: Highlights

Source:Pittsburgh Penguins TV- The Penguins bench in game 6.

"1991 Stanley Cup Final Game 6 North Stars vs Penguins Goals" 

From Liver 04

I'm not a hockey or NHL expert in general, but going into the 1991 NHL Stanley Cup Finals, I think you would have to assume that the Pittsburgh Penguins-Minnesota North Stars matchup was a mismatch and that the Penguins should win this in a sweep. The North Stars only won 27 out of the 82 games that they played and were in 8th seed in what would be called the Western Conference today. The Penguins had all of that firepower on offense led by Mario Lemieux and others, Tom Barasso was their goalie, and Scotty Bowman was their head coach. And yet the North Stars take the Penguins to 6 games.

NHL Network: NHL 1993- Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 7- Long Island Islanders @ Pittsburgh Penguins: Highlights

SourceNHL Network- the Long Island Islanders (as I call them) and Pittsburgh Penguins, from 1993.

"Highlights of game seven of the historical Patrick division final series between the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. The Islanders jump out to a lead on the road, only for the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Penguins to tie it late in the third.  David Volek, previously considered to be waived during the regular season, scores the overtime winner in one of the biggest upsets in NHL history!! May 14, 1993." 

From Sab Canada

The biggest upset in the 1993 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Islanders knocking off the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. It's not like the Islanders didn't have a good team, but they didn't even have home ice advantage in the 1st round against the Washington Capitals. This was a solid team, but not spectacular either offensively or defensively, that played their best hockey when they need to the most.

Islanders Army: NHL 1980- 'NY Islanders 1980 Stanley Cup Finals'

Source:Islanders Army- the Long Island Islanders (as I call them) celebrating their first Stanley Cup Championship, in 1980.

"Recap of the 1980 Stanley Cup Finals. Includes recap of first 6 games, series winning OT goal by Bob Nystrom, and the Stanley Cup Celebration." 

From Islanders Army

The Islanders finally get it done and win the Stanley Cup. They won 4 straight Stanley Cups in the 1980s. So that alone makes the case for them being the team of the 1980s in the NHL. The Edmonton Oilers also won 4 Cups in the 1980s, but repeated once in 87-88. The Islanders 4 straight which just doesn't happen anymore and did with great offense, defense, and goaltending.