Islanders/Red Wings history notes

Today I will be in Brooklyn to watch a President’s Day NHL afternoon tilt between the host New York Islanders and original six team, Detroit Red Wings.

Each team is currently in position to make the NHL playoffs which this season is more wide open than usual.

Later when I look around the new Islanders’ home, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, I will see the 4 Stanley Cup banners hanging from the ceiling.

Similarly I recall 4 different Red Wings’ Stanley Cup winning teams, in my time.

The Islanders won 4 straight Stanley Cups from (1980-1983) with such stars as Mike Bossy and goaltender Billy Smith.

The Red Wings a glory team in the 1950’s with hockey immortal Gordie Howe, won titles in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008.

The first three of those were under Scotty Bowman a mentor of Al Arbour, the man, who guided the Islanders to their 4 straight titles.