1981–82 New York Islanders season

1981–82 New York Islanders
Division	1st Patrick
Conference	1st Prince of Wales
1981–82 record	54–16–10
Goals for	385
Goals against	250
Team information
General manager	Bill Torrey
Coach	Al Arbour
Captain	Denis Potvin
Alternate captains	None
Arena	Nassau Coliseum
Team leaders
Goals	Mike Bossy (64)
Assists	Mike Bossy (83)
Points	Mike Bossy (147)
Penalty minutes	Brent Sutter (114)
Wins	Billy Smith (32)
Goals against average	Billy Smith (2.97)

The 1981-82 New York Islanders season was the 10th season for the franchise in the National Hockey League. The Islanders finished 1st in the Patrick Division and defeated the Vancouver Canucks in the 1982 Stanley Cup Finals 4 games to 0.

Off-season

Draft Picks

See also: 1981 NHL Entry Draft

Regular Season

Record Winning Streak

From January 21 to February 20 the Islanders set an NHL record by winning 15 consecutive games. Since regular season overtime did not yet exist, all of these games were won in regulation time. The record was surpassed in 1993 by the Pittsburgh Penguins, who won 17 consecutive games, two of which were in overtime.

Final Standings

Patrick Division

	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	PTS
New York Islanders	80	54	16	10	385	250	118
New York Rangers	80	39	27	14	316	306	92
Philadelphia Flyers	80	38	31	11	325	313	87
Pittsburgh Penguins	80	31	36	13	310	337	75
Washington Capitals	80	26	41	13	319	338	65

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points
Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Game Log

No.	R	Date	Score	Opponent	Record
1	W	October 7, 1981	4–1	@ Los Angeles Kings (1981–82)	1–0–0
2	T	October 10, 1981	2–2	@ Colorado Rockies (1981–82)	1–0–1
3	W	October 14, 1981	4–1	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1981–82)	2–0–1
4	W	October 15, 1981	4–1	Vancouver Canucks (1981–82)	3–0–1
5	W	October 17, 1981	5–4	New York Rangers (1981–82)	4–0–1
6	L	October 20, 1981	6–9	Los Angeles Kings (1981–82)	4–1–1
7	W	October 23, 1981	4–2	@ Washington Capitals (1981–82)	5–1–1
8	W	October 24, 1981	6–4	Washington Capitals (1981–82)	6–1–1
9	W	October 27, 1981	4–3	Edmonton Oilers (1981–82)	7–1–1
10	T	October 29, 1981	6–6	@ Hartford Whalers (1981–82)	7–1–2
11	W	October 31, 1981	2–1	@ Montreal Canadiens (1981–82)	8–1–2
12	T	November 3, 1981	2–2	Calgary Flames (1981–82)	8–1–3
13	L	November 7, 1981	2–6	Buffalo Sabres (1981–82)	8–2–3
14	W	November 10, 1981	5–3	@ Winnipeg Jets (1981–82)	9–2–3
15	W	November 11, 1981	4–3	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1981–82)	10–2–3
16	T	November 14, 1981	5–5	Edmonton Oilers (1981–82)	10–2–4
17	L	November 15, 1981	4–5	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1981–82)	10–3–4
18	L	November 17, 1981	2–7	@ Quebec Nordiques (1981–82)	10–4–4
19	W	November 21, 1981	4–3	New York Rangers (1981–82)	11–4–4
20	W	November 22, 1981	7–2	@ New York Rangers (1981–82)	12–4–4
21	W	November 24, 1981	3–1	Boston Bruins (1981–82)	13–4–4
22	W	November 26, 1981	9–2	St. Louis Blues (1981–82)	14–4–4
23	L	November 28, 1981	4–5	@ Boston Bruins (1981–82)	14–5–4
24	L	November 29, 1981	2–5	@ Buffalo Sabres (1981–82)	14–6–4
25	W	December 5, 1981	8–5	@ Minnesota North Stars (1981–82)	15–6–4
26	L	December 6, 1981	2–5	@ Winnipeg Jets (1981–82)	15–7–4
27	L	December 9, 1981	3–4	@ Vancouver Canucks (1981–82)	15–8–4
28	T	December 12, 1981	3–3	@ Calgary Flames (1981–82)	15–8–5
29	L	December 13, 1981	3–4	@ Edmonton Oilers (1981–82)	15–9–5
30	W	December 15, 1981	10–7	Quebec Nordiques (1981–82)	16–9–5
31	W	December 17, 1981	4–1	Washington Capitals (1981–82)	17–9–5
32	W	December 19, 1981	5–1	Detroit Red Wings (1981–82)	18–9–5
33	W	December 20, 1981	5–3	@ Detroit Red Wings (1981–82)	19–9–5
34	W	December 22, 1981	5–2	Winnipeg Jets (1981–82)	20–9–5
35	W	December 26, 1981	4–2	Philadelphia Flyers (1981–82)	21–9–5
36	L	December 29, 1981	4–5	Montreal Canadiens (1981–82)	21–10–5
37	L	December 30, 1981	4–6	@ New York Rangers (1981–82)	21–11–5
38	W	January 2, 1982	5–3	Chicago Black Hawks (1981–82)	22–11–5
39	W	January 4, 1982	4–1	Vancouver Canucks (1981–82)	23–11–5
40	W	January 7, 1982	5–4	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1981–82)	24–11–5
41	W	January 9, 1982	3–1	Philadelphia Flyers (1981–82)	25–11–5
42	L	January 14, 1982	4–5	@ Boston Bruins (1981–82)	25–12–5
43	T	January 17, 1982	2–2	@ Washington Capitals (1981–82)	25–12–6
44	L	January 20, 1982	2–3	@ New York Rangers (1981–82)	25–13–6
45	W	January 21, 1982	6–1	Pittsburgh Penguins (1981–82)	26–13–6
46	W	January 23, 1982	6–1	New York Rangers (1981–82)	27–13–6
47	W	January 26, 1982	9–2	Pittsburgh Penguins (1981–82)	28–13–6
48	W	January 27, 1982	6–3	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1981–82)	29–13–6
49	W	January 30, 1982	4–2	Minnesota North Stars (1981–82)	30–13–6
50	W	February 2, 1982	7–6	Washington Capitals (1981–82)	31–13–6
51	W	February 4, 1982	5–2	@ Washington Capitals (1981–82)	32–13–6
52	W	February 6, 1982	6–2	Detroit Red Wings (1981–82)	33–13–6
53	W	February 7, 1982	7–3	@ Buffalo Sabres (1981–82)	34–13–6
54	W	February 11, 1982	8–2	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1981–82)	35–13–6
55	W	February 13, 1982	8–2	Philadelphia Flyers (1981–82)	36–13–6
56	W	February 14, 1982	9–1	@ Hartford Whalers (1981–82)	37–13–6
57	W	February 16, 1982	6–2	Pittsburgh Penguins (1981–82)	38–13–6
58	W	February 18, 1982	7–4	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1981–82)	39–13–6
59	W	February 20, 1982	3–2	Colorado Rockies (1981–82)	40–13–6
60	L	February 21, 1982	3–4	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1981–82)	40–14–6
61	W	February 23, 1982	5–1	Chicago Black Hawks (1981–82)	41–14–6
62	W	February 25, 1982	4–2	Pittsburgh Penguins (1981–82)	42–14–6
63	T	February 27, 1982	5–5	Quebec Nordiques (1981–82)	42–14–7
64	W	March 1, 1982	9–5	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1981–82)	43–14–7
65	W	March 2, 1982	6–3	Calgary Flames (1981–82)	44–14–7
66	W	March 4, 1982	10–1	Toronto Maple Leafs (1981–82)	45–14–7
67	W	March 6, 1982	6–4	New York Rangers (1981–82)	46–14–7
68	W	March 9, 1982	6–4	@ St. Louis Blues (1981–82)	47–14–7
69	T	March 10, 1982	4–4	@ Minnesota North Stars (1981–82)	47–14–8
70	L	March 13, 1982	0–3	@ Los Angeles Kings (1981–82)	47–15–8
71	W	March 17, 1982	5–2	@ Colorado Rockies (1981–82)	48–15–8
72	T	March 20, 1982	3–3	St. Louis Blues (1981–82)	48–15–9
73	W	March 21, 1982	3–2	@ Washington Capitals (1981–82)	49–15–9
74	W	March 23, 1982	8–1	Washington Capitals (1981–82)	50–15–9
75	W	March 25, 1982	3–1	Montreal Canadiens (1981–82)	51–15–9
76	W	March 27, 1982	5–4	Hartford Whalers (1981–82)	52–15–9
77	W	March 29, 1982	7–3	@ New York Rangers (1981–82)	53–15–9
78	T	April 1, 1982	3–3	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1981–82)	53–15–10
79	W	April 3, 1982	6–3	Philadelphia Flyers (1981–82)	54–15–10
80	L	April 4, 1982	2–7	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1981–82)	54–16–10

Playoffs

New York Islanders 3, Pittsburgh Penguins 2

The Islanders won the first two games of the best-of-5 series, outscoring Pittsburgh 15-3. The Penguins then came back to even the series with two victories of their own. In Game 5, the Islanders came from behind to win in overtime. The tying and winning goals were both scored by John Tonelli.

• April 7 Islanders 8, Penguins 1
• April 8 Islanders 7, Penguins 2
• April 10 Penguins 2, Islanders 1(OT)
• April 11 Penguins 5, Islanders 2
• April 13 Islanders 4, Penguins 3(OT)

Islanders win series, 3 games to 2

New York Islanders 4, New York Rangers 2

After losing the opener, the Islanders came back to win the next three games and, eventually, the series in six. The key goals were Bryan Trottier's overtime winner of Game 3 and Dave Langevin's in the third period of Game 6 that proved to be the series clincher.

• April 15 Rangers 5, Islanders 4
• April 16 Islanders 7, Rangers 2
• April 18 Islanders 4, Rangers 3(OT)
• April 19 Islanders 5, Rangers 3
• April 21 Rangers 4, Islanders 2
• April 23 Islanders 5, Rangers 3

New York Islanders 4, Quebec Nordiques 0

The Islanders defeated the Nords decisively in the first two games played at the Nassau Coliseum. In Quebec, they won Game 3 in overtime on a goal scored by Wayne Merrick and finished the sweep three days later to advance to the Finals.

• April 27 Islanders 4, Nordiques 1
• April 29 Islanders 5, Nordiques 2
• May 1 Islanders 5, Nordiques 4(OT)
• May 4 Islanders 4, Nordiques 2

Islanders win series, 4 games to 0

New York Islanders 4, Vancouver Canucks 0

The Canucks had their best chance to win a game in the first one, as a Jim Nill short-handed marker gave them a 5–4 lead with only seven minutes to play in regulation time. However, the Islanders tied it when Mike Bossy banged home a loose puck after goaltender Richard Brodeur had collided with his own defenceman, Harold Snepsts, while trying to smother it. In the dying seconds of the first overtime period, Snepsts attempted to clear the puck up the middle, but it was intercepted by Bossy, who completed his hat trick with two seconds left on the clock to win the game for the Islanders. In game two, the Canucks led 4–3 after two periods, but the Isles came back to win again.

The series then shifted to Vancouver, where the Canucks were boosted by a boisterous, towel-waving Vancouver crowd and had a great first period, but failed to score on Billy Smith, who was brilliant. The Islanders went on to win 3–0, and then completed the sweep with a 3–1 victory on May 16 to win their third straight Cup.

Mike Bossy scored 7 goals in the four games and won the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Date	Visitors	Score	Home	Score	Notes
May 8	Vancouver	5	New York	6	OT
May 11	Vancouver	4	New York	6
May 13	New York	3	Vancouver	0
May 16	New York	3	Vancouver	1

Player Stats

Regular Season
Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM +/- PPG SHG GWG Bossy, MikeMike Bossy RW 80 64 83 147 22 69 17 0 10 Trottier, BryanBryan Trottier C 80 50 79 129 88 70 18 2 10 Tonelli, JohnJohn Tonelli LW 80 35 58 93 57 48 5 0 5 Gillies, ClarkClark Gillies LW 79 38 39 77 75 39 8 0 5 Potvin, DenisDenis Potvin D 60 24 37 61 83 38 11 1 4 Bourne, BobBob Bourne C 76 27 26 53 77 27 5 2 2 Sutter, DuaneDuane Sutter RW 77 18 35 53 100 23 4 0 0 McEwen, MikeMike McEwen D 73 10 39 49 50 30 1 0 1 Nystrom, BobBob Nystrom RW 74 22 25 47 103 13 0 0 4 Sutter, BrentBrent Sutter C 43 21 22 43 114 28 3 0 1 Persson, StefanStefan Persson D 70 6 37 43 99 35 3 0 2 Kallur, AndersAnders Kallur RW 58 18 22 40 18 5 2 3 3 Merrick, WayneWayne Merrick C 68 12 27 39 20 4 1 0 3 Jonsson, TomasTomas Jonsson D 70 9 25 34 51 26 0 0 1 Goring, ButchButch Goring C 67 15 17 32 10 -3 1 5 1 Carroll, BillyBilly Carroll C 72 9 20 29 32 12 0 3 1 Langevin, DaveDave Langevin D 73 1 20 21 82 34 0 0 0 Morrow, KenKen Morrow D 75 1 18 19 56 53 0 0 0 Marini, HectorHector Marini RW 30 4 9 13 53 3 1 0 1 Lane, GordGord Lane D 51 0 13 13 98 26 0 0 0 Gilbert, GregGreg Gilbert LW 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Smith, BillyBilly Smith G 46 0 1 1 24 0 0 0 0 Boutilier, PaulPaul Boutilier D 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hawryliw, NeilNeil Hawryliw RW 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Melanson, RolandRoland Melanson G 36 0 0 0 14 0 0 0 0
Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L T GA GAA SO Smith, BillyBilly Smith 2685 46 32 9 4 133 2.97 0 Melanson, RolandRoland Melanson 2115 36 22 7 6 114 3.23 0 Team: 4800 80 54 16 10 247 3.09 0

Playoffs
Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM PPG SHG GWG Trottier, BryanBryan Trottier C 19 6 23 29 40 2 0 2 Bossy, MikeMike Bossy RW 19 17 10 27 0 6 0 3 Potvin, DenisDenis Potvin D 19 5 16 21 30 3 0 0 Bourne, BobBob Bourne C 19 9 7 16 36 3 1 0 Tonelli, JohnJohn Tonelli LW 19 6 10 16 18 1 0 1 Persson, StefanStefan Persson D 13 1 14 15 9 1 0 0 Gillies, ClarkClark Gillies LW 19 8 6 14 34 4 0 3 Merrick, WayneWayne Merrick C 19 6 6 12 6 0 0 1 Goring, ButchButch Goring C 19 6 5 11 12 1 0 2 Nystrom, BobBob Nystrom RW 15 5 5 10 32 0 0 0 Sutter, DuaneDuane Sutter RW 19 5 5 10 57 0 0 2 McEwen, MikeMike McEwen D 15 3 7 10 18 2 0 0 Sutter, BrentBrent Sutter C 19 2 6 8 36 0 0 0 Kallur, AndersAnders Kallur RW 19 1 6 7 8 0 1 0 Langevin, DaveDave Langevin D 19 2 4 6 16 0 0 1 Carroll, BillyBilly Carroll C 19 2 2 4 8 0 2 0 Lane, GordGord Lane D 19 0 4 4 61 0 0 0 Morrow, KenKen Morrow D 19 0 4 4 8 0 0 0 Gilbert, GregGreg Gilbert LW 4 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 Jonsson, TomasTomas Jonsson D 10 0 2 2 21 0 0 0 Melanson, RolandRoland Melanson G 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Smith, BillyBilly Smith G 18 0 0 0 6 0 0 0
Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L GA GAA SO Smith, BillyBilly Smith 1120 18 15 3 47 2.52 1 Melanson, RolandRoland Melanson 64 3 0 1 5 4.69 0 Team: 1184 19 15 4 52 2.64 1

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts

1982 New York Islanders Stanley Cup Champions

Gord Lane, Jean Potvin, Denis Potvin, Stefan Persson, Tomas Jonsson, Mike McEwen, Ken Morrow, Dave Langevin, Brent Sutter, Duane Sutter, Clark Gillies, Hector Marini, Wayne Merrick, Bob Bourne, Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Bob Nystrom, John Tonelli, Anders Kallur, Butch Goring, Billy Carroll, Roland Melanson, Billy Smith, Al Arbour (coach), Bill Torrey (general manager), Ron Waske, Jim Pickard (trainers)

Awards and Records

Prince of Wales Trophy: New York Islanders

• Vezina Trophy: Billy Smith
• Conn Smythe Trophy: Mike Bossy
• Lady Byng Trophy: Mike Bossy, Runner-Up
• Mike Bossy, Right Wing, NHL First Team All-Star
• Billy Smith, Goalie, NHL First Team All-Star
• Bryan Trottier, Center, NHL Second Team All-Star
• John Tonelli, Left Wing, NHL Second Team All-Star

References

• Islanders on Hockey Database

Preceded by New York Islanders 1981

New York Islanders Stanley Cup Champions 1982

Succeeded by New York Islanders 1983