The 1981–82 New York Islanders season was the 10th season in the franchise's history. It involved winning the

Stanley Cup The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...

Offseason

NHL Draft

Regular season

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

Regular season

, - , 1, , W, , October 7, 1981, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

( 1981–82) , , 1–0–0 , - , 2, , T, , October 10, 1981, , 2–2 , , align="left", @

Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. Th ...

( 1981–82) , , 1–0–1 , - , 3, , W, , October 14, 1981, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

( 1981–82) , , 2–0–1 , - , 4, , W, , October 15, 1981, , 4–1 , , align="left",

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

( 1981–82) , , 3–0–1 , - , 5, , W, , October 17, 1981, , 5–4 , , align="left",

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

( 1981–82) , , 4–0–1 , - , 6, , L, , October 20, 1981, , 6–9 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 4–1–1 , - , 7, , W, , October 23, 1981, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

( 1981–82) , , 5–1–1 , - , 8, , W, , October 24, 1981, , 6–4 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 6–1–1 , - , 9, , W, , October 27, 1981, , 4–3 , , align="left",

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1981–82) , , 7–1–1 , - , 10, , T, , October 29, 1981, , 6–6 , , align="left", @

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its 25-year existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1 ...

( 1981–82) , , 7–1–2 , - , 11, , W, , October 31, 1981, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

( 1981–82) , , 8–1–2 , - , - , 12, , T, , November 3, 1981, , 2–2 , , align="left",

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

( 1981–82) , , 8–1–3 , - , 13, , L, , November 7, 1981, , 2–6 , , align="left",

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

( 1981–82) , , 8–2–3 , - , 14, , W, , November 10, 1981, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...

( 1981–82) , , 9–2–3 , - , 15, , W, , November 11, 1981, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

( 1981–82) , , 10–2–3 , - , 16, , T, , November 14, 1981, , 5–5 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 10–2–4 , - , 17, , L, , November 15, 1981, , 4–5 , , align="left", @

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

( 1981–82) , , 10–3–4 , - , 18, , L, , November 17, 1981, , 2–7 , , align="left", @

Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques (, pronounced in Quebec French, in Canadian English; translated "Northmen" or "Northerners") were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association (1972–1979) an ...

( 1981–82) , , 10–4–4 , - , 19, , W, , November 21, 1981, , 4–3 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 11–4–4 , - , 20, , W, , November 22, 1981, , 7–2 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 12–4–4 , - , 21, , W, , November 24, 1981, , 3–1 , , align="left",

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

( 1981–82) , , 13–4–4 , - , 22, , W, , November 26, 1981, , 9–2 , , align="left",

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1981–82) , , 14–4–4 , - , 23, , L, , November 28, 1981, , 4–5 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 14–5–4 , - , 24, , L, , November 29, 1981, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 14–6–4 , - , - , 25, , W, , December 5, 1981, , 8–5 , , align="left", @

Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, and the team's colors for ...

( 1981–82) , , 15–6–4 , - , 26, , L, , December 6, 1981, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 15–7–4 , - , 27, , L, , December 9, 1981, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 15–8–4 , - , 28, , T, , December 12, 1981, , 3–3 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 15–8–5 , - , 29, , L, , December 13, 1981, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 15–9–5 , - , 30, , W, , December 15, 1981, , 10–7 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 16–9–5 , - , 31, , W, , December 17, 1981, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 17–9–5 , - , 32, , W, , December 19, 1981, , 5–1 , , align="left",

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

( 1981–82) , , 18–9–5 , - , 33, , W, , December 20, 1981, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 19–9–5 , - , 34, , W, , December 22, 1981, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 20–9–5 , - , 35, , W, , December 26, 1981, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 21–9–5 , - , 36, , L, , December 29, 1981, , 4–5 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 21–10–5 , - , 37, , L, , December 30, 1981, , 4–6 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 21–11–5 , - , - , 38, , W, , January 2, 1982, , 5–3 , , align="left",

Chicago Black Hawks Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

( 1981–82) , , 22–11–5 , - , 39, , W, , January 4, 1982, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 23–11–5 , - , 40, , W, , January 7, 1982, , 5–4 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 24–11–5 , - , 41, , W, , January 9, 1982, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 25–11–5 , - , 42, , L, , January 14, 1982, , 4–5 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 25–12–5 , - , 43, , T, , January 17, 1982, , 2–2 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 25–12–6 , - , 44, , L, , January 20, 1982, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 25–13–6 , - , 45, , W, , January 21, 1982, , 6–1 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 26–13–6 , - , 46, , W, , January 23, 1982, , 6–1 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 27–13–6 , - , 47, , W, , January 26, 1982, , 9–2 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 28–13–6 , - , 48, , W, , January 27, 1982, , 6–3 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 29–13–6 , - , 49, , W, , January 30, 1982, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 30–13–6 , - , - , 50, , W, , February 2, 1982, , 7–6 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 31–13–6 , - , 51, , W, , February 4, 1982, , 5–2 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 32–13–6 , - , 52, , W, , February 6, 1982, , 6–2 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 33–13–6 , - , 53, , W, , February 7, 1982, , 7–3 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 34–13–6 , - , 54, , W, , February 11, 1982, , 8–2 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 35–13–6 , - , 55, , W, , February 13, 1982, , 8–2 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 36–13–6 , - , 56, , W, , February 14, 1982, , 9–1 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 37–13–6 , - , 57, , W, , February 16, 1982, , 6–2 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 38–13–6 , - , 58, , W, , February 18, 1982, , 7–4 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 39–13–6 , - , 59, , W, , February 20, 1982, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 40–13–6 , - , 60, , L, , February 21, 1982, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 40–14–6 , - , 61, , W, , February 23, 1982, , 5–1 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 41–14–6 , - , 62, , W, , February 25, 1982, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 42–14–6 , - , 63, , T, , February 27, 1982, , 5–5 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 42–14–7 , - , - , 64, , W, , March 1, 1982, , 9–5 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 43–14–7 , - , 65, , W, , March 2, 1982, , 6–3 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 44–14–7 , - , 66, , W, , March 4, 1982, , 10–1 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 45–14–7 , - , 67, , W, , March 6, 1982, , 6–4 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 46–14–7 , - , 68, , W, , March 9, 1982, , 6–4 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 47–14–7 , - , 69, , T, , March 10, 1982, , 4–4 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 47–14–8 , - , 70, , L, , March 13, 1982, , 0–3 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 47–15–8 , - , 71, , W, , March 17, 1982, , 5–2 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 48–15–8 , - , 72, , T, , March 20, 1982, , 3–3 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 48–15–9 , - , 73, , W, , March 21, 1982, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 49–15–9 , - , 74, , W, , March 23, 1982, , 8–1 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 50–15–9 , - , 75, , W, , March 25, 1982, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 51–15–9 , - , 76, , W, , March 27, 1982, , 5–4 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 52–15–9 , - , 77, , W, , March 29, 1982, , 7–3 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 53–15–9 , - , - , 78, , T, , April 1, 1982, , 3–3 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 53–15–10 , - , 79, , W, , April 3, 1982, , 6–3 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 54–15–10 , - , 80, , L, , April 4, 1982, , 2–7 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 54–16–10 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

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;

Record Winning Streak

From January 21 to February 20 the Islanders set a

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

record by winning 15 consecutive games. Since regular season overtime did not yet exist, all of these games had to be (and were) won in regulation time. During the streak, the Islanders outscored the opposition 97-35 for a +62 goal differential over the 15 games. The record was surpassed in

1993 The United Nations General Assembly, General Assembly of the United Nations designated 1993 as: * International Year for the World's Indigenous People The year 1993 in the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands had only 364 days, since its ...

by the

, who won 17 consecutive games, two of which were in overtime.

Playoffs

Patrick Division semi-finals

Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

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''

Patrick Division Finals

Islanders vs. New York Rangers

After losing the opener, their first loss at home since December 29, the Islanders came back to win the next three games and, eventually, the series in six. The key goals were

Bryan Trottier Bryan John Trottier (born July 17, 1956) is a Canadian and American former professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. He won four Stanley Cups with ...

's overtime winner of Game 3 and

Dave Langevin David Richard Langevin (born May 15, 1954) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 216 games for the Edmonton Oilers in the World Hockey Association (WHA) as well as 513 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) for th ...

'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 ''Islanders win series, 4 games to 2''

Wales Conference Finals

Islanders vs. Quebec Nordiques

The Islanders defeated the Nords decisively in the first two games played at the

Nassau Coliseum Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum (or simply the Nassau Coliseum) is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Uniondale, New York, on Long Island. The venue is situated approximately east of the eastern limits of the Borough (New York City), borough of Q ...

. 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''

Stanley Cup Finals

New York Islanders vs. Vancouver Canucks

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 Richard "King Richard", "Kermit" Brodeur (born September 15, 1952), is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He was one of a select group of goaltenders to play in every season of the seven-year existence of the World Hockey Asso ...

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 Michael Dean Bossy (January 22, 1957April 15, 2022) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player with the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League. He spent his entire NHL career, which lasted from 1977 to 1987, with the Islanders, and ...

scored 7 goals in the four games and won the

Conn Smythe Trophy The Conn Smythe Trophy () is awarded annually to the most valuable player (MVP) of his team during the National Hockey League's (NHL) Stanley Cup playoffs. It is named after Conn Smythe, the longtime owner, general manager, and head coach of the ...

. ''Islanders win series, 4 games to 0''

Awards and records

* Mike Bossy,

* Mike Bossy, Runner-Up,

Lady Byng Trophy The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, formerly known as the Lady Byng Trophy, is presented each year to the National Hockey League "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard o ...

National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006, p. 221, Dan Diamond & Associates, Toronto, Ontario,

References

Islanders on Hockey Database
{{DEFAULTSORT:New York Islanders, 1981-82 1981-82 1981–82 NHL season by team 1981 in sports in New York (state) 1982 in sports in New York (state) 1982 Stanley Cup 1981-82 1981-82 New York Islanders season 1981-82 New York Islanders season