45 Years Since That First Of 4 Straight Islanders’ Titles

Today marks the 45th anniversary of an eventual great and largely forgotten, certainly underpublicized team, the New York Islanders winning the first of 4 consecutive NHL titles in what were 5 straight final round appearances, (titles ’80-’83 and a loss to Edmonton, one note from 2025–“Edm” won (3-0) at Dallas last night to get even (1-1) in their “semi”), a feat few teams in any major this continent sports league has ever managed.

‘Twas a goal by Bob Nystrom at 7:11 of overtime that lifted the Islanders (5-4) over the Philadelphia Flyers and into a 6 game triumph giving the just 8 year old franchise what turned out to be the first of four straight titles.

Only the (’59-’66) Boston Celtics with 8, the (’56-’60) Montreal Canadiens and (’49-’53) New York Yankees, each with 5 have ever attained more consecutive major North American sports league titles than those (’80-’83) Isles. (Another period of greatness and 4 straight titles manifested for both the Yankees (’36-’39) with among others Joe DiMaggio and Lou Gehrig among the players and Canadiens (’76-’79) who were coached by the great Scotty Bowman.

I think the great broadcaster, Dan Kelly makes the call on the historic goal.