NY Islanders

New York Islanders 

Perhaps the most overlooked New York area sports franchise, the New York Islanders have a storied history that most sports fans don’t know about. Local residents tend to side more with the New York Rangers, and they’ve been having a terrific 2021-22 season so far. There’s also the New Jersey Devils, although their recent trends have been very disappointing.

Brief History Of The Islanders

The Islanders, or “Isles” as they are commonly referred to, joined the National Hockey League in 1972. In an effort to fend off the newly forming World Hockey Association, the NHL wanted another hockey team in the Big Apple.

The league brought in William Shea, the man responsible for bringing the Mets to New York 10 years earlier. Shea’s job was clear – bring another hockey team to New York and strengthen the NHL as the premier hockey league in the US. After much back and forth with the New York Rangers organization (who objected to the competition), Shea helped establish the Islanders as the second professional hockey team in the New York City area. 

The Islanders At UBS Arena

Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum served as the home of the Islanders for almost 50 years, but it became outdated. They’ve also periodically played at the Barclays Center, home to the Brooklyn Nets. 

The Islanders are now playing in their new arena, UBS Arena, at Elmont, New York. This $1 billion construction is a state-of-the-art, multi-use arena that is a joint venture with the Islanders owners, Oak View Group, and Sterling Equities. The Islanders began playing in their new home with the 2021-22 NHL season. 

NY Islanders Stanley Cup History

In less than 10 years from their entry into the NHL, the Islanders were crowned Stanley Cup Champions. Beginning in the 1979-1980 season with their first Stanley Cup victory, a dynasty was born.

The team went on to win the Stanley Cup in four consecutive seasons 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1983. The Isles reached the Stanley Cup Finals again in 1984, but lose 4 games to 1 to the Edmonton Oilers. During their Stanley Cup Finals run, the Islanders would post an overall record of 16-3.

The Islanders In The 1980s:

• 1980: First Islanders Stanley Cup Final victory
• 1980-1983: 4 consecutive Islanders Stanley Cup victories
• 1984: Islanders lose the Stanley Cup Finals to the Edmonton Oilers

Their four Stanley Cup titles tie them with their crosstown rivals the New York Rangers and give them one more than the Devils. Forming the backbone of these championship teams, were future Hall of Famers Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Billy Smith, Clark Gillies, and Denis Potvin. 

As the early 1980s became the late 80s and 1990s, things turned south for the Islanders. Early playoff exits were quickly replaced by a playoff drought lasting seven years (1994-2000). The team again faced a playoff drought of five years from 2007 to 2012. Since the 2012-2013 season, the Isles have only missed the playoffs twice. 

Islanders Top Rivalries

You’re safe in assuming that local area teams like the Rangers and the New Jersey Devils would stir up the biggest rivalry for the Islanders. After all, fewer places on Earth are more competitive than the New York tri-state area for professional sports.

But since the mid-1970s, there’s another NHL team that hearkens the most intense rivalry for the Islanders and their fans: the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Isles and Pens have met five times in the playoffs with the Isles prevailing in four of the five series. Overall, Pittsburgh has gotten the better of the Islanders, compiling a record of 133–118–22–12.  

Islanders 2021-22 Season 

The NY Islanders have made it to the final four of the Stanley Cup playoffs each of the last two seasons and have high hopes of doing that again this season. Unfortunately for them, those playoff chances look fairly bleak as we get into the final third of the season.

As of Feb. 22, the Islanders have 43 total points (18-20-7 record). They have a better goal differential compared to other teams under .500 (-15), but are nearly a full 20 points away from a Wild Card spot.

Outside of Montreal or Dallas, the Islanders have been one of the more disappointing teams this season. The odds of winning a Stanley Cup have dropped considerably. Some sportsbooks, including DraftKings, Caesars, and BetRivers, list ods at +10000 and greater.

Check out our Guide To Betting On The Islanders In New York.