#HBD
Billy Smith. In 1983 you gave the greatest interview of all-time.
The greatest money G of all-time, greatest G in
#isles
history. There will only ever be one Smitty.
Never afraid to speak his mind. The genuine article, the real deal.
Enjoy 71, Smitty. This Bud’s For You🍺
#OTD
in 2008 the
#isles
use their 1st rd. pick in the
#nhl
Entry Draft (9th ovrl) in OTT to select C Josh Bailey from the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires. They also use their 5th rd. Pick (148th ovrl) to select LW Matt Martin from the OHL’s Sarnia Sting.
#gi
#islanders
#nyi
#nyisles
#00s
#OTD
in 2019 the
#isles
won their 10th straight Gm. (2d longest strk in team hist.) beating the Sens 4-1 in BKN to go to 11-3-0. Rookie Cole Bardreau scored his 1st
#nhl
🚨 on a PS in the 2d. (GWG). Cizikas (1-1-2, SH), Clutterbuck (1-1-2) & Bailey also scored for
#nyi
.
#lgi
#OTD
in 1983-
“2 Can Play That Game!”
Billy Smith - the greatest interview from the greatest money goalie.
The
#isles
beat Gretzky & the Oilers 4-2 for a sweep &
#StanleyCup
no. 4!!!!!
#lgi
#nhl
#80s
#OTD
in 1993 the
#isles
upset the 2-time defending Champ Pens by beating them 4-3 in OT in Gm. 7 of the Patrick Div. Final in PIT on a GWG by David Volek (2 🚨) to win the series 4-3.
@rayferrarotsn
- 2 🍎. Hogue- 1-1-2. Thomas also scored. Healy- 42 svs.
#nhl
#90s
@rayanddregs
#OTD
in 1978
#isles
RW Mike Bossy became the 3rd
#nyi
player in 5 yrs. to win the Calder Trophy as the
#nhl
Rookie of the Year. Bossy set a new league rec. w/ 53 🚨 in his 1st yr. a mark that stood for 15 seasons. Bossy then scored a career high 69 🚨 in yr. 2.
#lgi
#70s
#Bossy22
#OTD
in 2018 the
#isles
beat the Leafs 4-0 in TOR to go to 20-13-4. It is the first time their former captain played the
#islanders
since leaving for TOR the prev. July.
@Barzal_97
“the kid who won the Calder” scored a natty hatty on nat’l TV in Canada.
#nhl
#lgi
c/o
@Sportsnet
#OTD
in 1983 the
#isles
won their 4th consec
#stanleycup
beating the Oilers 4-2 at
#nassaucoliseum
to sweep series 4-0. Bossy- Cup winning 🚨 for 2nd consec yr. Tonelli, Trottier & Morrow (ENG) also scored. Smitty won Conn Smythe as playoff MVP & gave the greatest interview ever.
#OTD
in 2020 the
#isles
beat the Panthers 5-1 in Gm. 4 of
#stanleycup
Qualifying Rd. to win the BO5 series 3-1, their 1st series W in TOR bubble. Beauvillier led the off. w/ 2 🚨(GWG). Nelson(1-1-2, PPG), Barzal(1-1-2), & Pageau(ENG) also scored. Bailey-2🍎. Varlamov-24 svs.
#OTD
in 2007, Coach returned home and the
#isles
defeated the Pens 3-2 in a magical night at
#nassaucoliseum
as Al Arbour earned his 740th career
#islanders
in his 1500th career
#nyi
game. It was a special night that
#nyislanders
fans won’t soon forget.
On 3/31/88 the
#isles
honored Denis Potvin playing his final reg. seas. home game with a post-game ceremony featuring many guests from his career, giving the fans a chance to say goodbye. Denis took a final lap around
#nassaucoliseum
waving to everyone in the crowd.
#OTD
in 2001 after an emotional opening ceremony in the first
#nassaucoliseum
game since the 9/11 attacks, Oleg Kvasha opens the home opener with a 🚨:30 into the game sending the Coliseum into a tizzy. It’s not enough for the
#isles
though as they lose their 1st Gm. Of the year.
#OTD
in 1980 - Bobby Ny puts the
#isles
& Long Island on the map!!
-from “Great Moments in Hockey” w/ Dick Irvin
For more 7:11 clips & other great
#nyi
content, subscribe to my YouTube channel
Happy anniversary
#islanders
Country!!!
#LGI
!!!!
April 02, 1983 New York Islanders right wing Mike Bossy scores in a 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins to become the first player in NHL history to score 60 goals in 3 consecutive seasons
#Today
#OnThisDate
#People
#Event
#PR
#HBD
to the one and only
#isles
legend
#19
Bryan Trottier who turns 64 today! Of all of his accomplishments and honors achieved in an
#nyi
uniform perhaps his most impressive single gm. was 12/23/78 when he scored a team rec. 8 pts. and 6 in one period vs. NYR at
#nassaucoliseum
.
#OTD
in 1981,
#isles
Mike Bossy equaled Rocket Richard’s record of 50 🚨 in 50 gms. Bossy needed 2 to equal the record going into the game vs. QUE. He was held goalless through 2 pers. then scored a PPG at 15:50 of the 3rd for 49 then at 18:31 he took an elevated pass from (1/2)
#OTD
in 1980 Team USA member D Kenny Morrow makes his
#nhl
debut for the
#isles
less than a week after winning gold at Lake Placid. He is given a thunderous ovation when he takes the ice by the
#nassaucoliseum
crowd.
#nyi
lost to DET 4-3.
#80s
#nhl
#HBD
to former
#isles
Capt. & C Michael Peca who turns 48 today! Michael scored 49 🚨 93 🍎 for 142 pts. & had was +32 from ‘00-01 - ‘03-04. He was captain all 3 yrs. he was here. The
#nyi
made the
#stanleycupplayoffs
every yr. he was on LI. He won the Selke in ‘01-02.
#nhl
#lgi
DYK: WCBS-TV legend Sal Marchiano was the 1st person on the ice to interview
@BobNystrom23
after he scored the winner? The Coli was so loud that the clip was inaudible & could not be used, so Sal had to interview Bobby Ny again later in the locker room. Here’s that one.
#isles
The Bruins & Islanders combined to set an NHL playoff record for most PIMs in one period, with 248 in the 1st. Each team received 124 minutes. 04.17.80
#HFH
A quick synopsis 📽️👇
#OTD
in 1981 the
#isles
beat the Nordiques 7-4 at
#nassaucoliseum
to go to 32-10-8.
@Bossy5050
made
#nhl
history & completed his mission to score 50 🚨 in 50 gms., the first player to do it since Rocket Richard did it in ‘44-45. Bossy scored twice in the final 5 min to do it. ➡️
#OTD
in 2018, the Mat Barzal and the
#isles
played the Maple Leafs for the first time since their former captain left for TOR via free agency. The
#nyi
won 4-0 on the back of a SO by Robin Lehner and a Barzal natural 🧢 trick. The W pushed the
#islanders
rec. to 20-13-4.
#nhl
#lgi
#OTD
in 1975, JP Parise scored the 2nd most important 🚨 in
#isles
history as he scored :11 into OT at MSG in Gm. 3 of the Prelim Rd. to give the
#nyi
their 1st ever
#stanleycupplayoffs
series W & ignited one of the greatest rivalries in the history of sports.
#lgi
#70s
#nhl
#HBD
Smitty!
It’s become a yearly tradition of mine on here to play the greatest interview ever in honor of the greatest money goaltender ever’s birthday!
TWO CAN PLAY THAT GAME!
The 🐐.
#lgi
#isles
#80s
#GOAT
#legend
#billysmith
#HBD
to former
#isles
D Rich Pilon who turns 53 today!! Rich scored 6 🚨& 54 🍎 for 60 pts. & racked up 1,525 PIM from 1988-89 to 1999-2000. He was a member of the magical 1993
#stanleycupplayoffs
team. He is a
#nyi
draft pick (7th rd. 143rd ovrl, ‘86 Entry).
#nyi
#lgi
#islanders
#HBD
in heaven to Al Arbour. A giant among men, a legend among legends, his greatness goes beyond wins and losses, and his footprint throughout the
#nyi
organization runs immensely deep.
#RIP
“Radar”, we miss you every day, thank you for making the
#islanders
org what it is.
#nhl
Here’s a 1983 WOR-TV music video tribute to
#isles
Billy Smith and his amazing 1983
#stanleycupfinal
performance vs. the loaded Oilers. Set the music of another LI Billy, Billy Joel and his 1982 hit “Pressure”. Footage (c)
@NYIslanders
&
@nhl
Music (c) Billy Joel & Columbia.
#lgi
Before Pajama Boy, before Darcy Tucker, before even Lanny McDonald, The Leafs Jerry Butler ignited the
#isles
rivalry with TOR when he nearly ended
#MikeBossy
‘s career with a cheapshot in 1978. Bossy was nearly paralyzed and had to be taken off on a stretcher.
#nyi
#lgi
#nhl
#OTD
in 2020 the
#isles
beat the Caps 2-1 in OT in Gm. 3 of the Eastern Conf. Qtr.-Final to take a 3-0 lead in the BO7 series in TOR. Mat Barzal scored the GWG, his 1st career playoff OT winner. Anders Lee also scored. Semyon Varlamov made 22 svs for the W in net.
#lgi
#nyi
#nhl
#OTD
in 2020 the
#isles
beat the Capitals 4-2 in Gm. 1 of the Eastern Conf. Qtr.-Final in TOR to take a 1-0 lead in the BO7 series. Josh Bailey(1-1-2) scored the GWG SH in the 3rd. Eberle, Lee & Beauvillier also scored. Varlamov-24 svs for the W in net.
#lgi
#islanders
#nhl
#nyi
#HBD
to former
#isles
LW Jason Blake who turns 48 today!! Jason scored 127 🚨 & 131 🍎 for 258 pts. & had 268 PIM from ‘00-01 to ‘06-07. He was a member of 4
#stanleycupplayoffs
teams. He was an All-Star in ‘07. He is a cancer survivor. He is a native of Moorhead, MN.
#lgi
#00s
#OTD
in 1993 the
#isles
retired Billy Smith’s number 31 in a pre-game matinee ceremony at
#nassaucoliseum
. Smith became the 3rd
#nyi
player to have his number retired after Denis Potvin & Mike Bossy. Smith is considered the greatest clutch goaltender to ever play the game.
#lgi
#OTD
in 2020 the
#isles
played their 1st gm. in the Toronto bubble and beat the NYR in an exhibition game, 2-1. Anthony Beauvillier & Devon Toews scored for the
#nyi
. Semyon Varlamov made 19 svs in a 2 per. SO. It was the first
#islanders
gm. since Mar. 7 & first since pandemic.
#OTD
in 2011 the
#isles
beat the Pens 9-3 in the infamous “Fight Night” game at
#nassaucoliseum
. A record number of PIM were handed out, including 10 fighting majors and numerous ejections. It was the largest victory in goals the entire year for the
#nyi
.
#10s
#nhl
#islanders
#OTD
in 1994 Pierre Turgeon represents the
#isles
at the
#nhl
All-Star Game for the 2nd straight year and records 3 🍎 in the East’s 9-8 win over the West in the game at MSG. Turgeon is tied with Denis Potvin for the
#nyi
all-time lead in All-Star Game points with 9.
#90s
#lgi
#OTD
in 2001 after an emotional opening ceremony at the home opener,
#isles
Oleg Kvasha makes the sold-out
#nassaucoliseum
crowd go nuts, scoring just 36 sec. into the 1st vs. DET. The
#nyi
& Wings traded 🚨 until the 3rd but NYI blew a 4-3 late in the 3rd & L5-4 in OT.
#nhl
#lgi
#OTD
in 2016 the
#isles
clinched their 2nd straight playoff spot with a 4-3 OT win over the Caps in WSH. Thomas Hickey (1-1-2) scored the GWG in OT. Our former capt. had 1 🚨 2 🍎. Okopso went 1-1-2. Lee also scored. Strome had 2 🍎. Christopher Gibson made 29 svs for the W.
#nhl
#OTD
in 1977 Bill Torrey & Jimmy Devellano came as close as you could to winning a draft when at the 1977
#nhldraft
the
#isles
selected a skinny lanky kid from Laval, PQ named
#MikeBossy
, who was passed on by 13 other teams incl NYR & TOR 2x. His presser was held in NYC
#nhl
#OTD
in 1980
#isles
GM Bill Torrey made the greatest trade deadline deal in
#nhl
history when he acquired
@91Butch
from LA for Dave Lewis & Billy Harris.
#nyi
didn’t lose again down the stretch & went 15-6 in the playoffs to win their 1st
#stanleycup
🎥- MSG Plus/NHL
@cjpapa13
#OTD
in 2020 the
#isles
began the
#StanleyCupPlayoffs
in the TOR bubble & beat the Panthers 2-1 in Gm. 1 of the
#stanleycup
Qualifying Rd. to take a 1-0 series lead in the BO5 series. JG Pageau & Anthony Beauvillier (GWG) scored for the
#nyi
. Semyon Varlamov-27 svs, W.
#nhl
#lgi
#OTD
in 1985, Denis Potvin passed Bobby Orr on the
#nhl
All-Time points list to become the highest scoring defenseman in league history. The pt. came on a first period 🍎 on a Mike Bossy 🚨 at MSG against the Rangers. The
#isles
would end up with a 2-2 tie.
#gameon
#nyi
#lgi
#OTD
in 1986 Bryan Trottier &
@Bossy5050
represented the
#isles
at the
#nhl
All-Star Game in Hartford, CT & combined on the GWG as Boss set up Trots for the Gamer at 3:05 of OT & the Wales beat the Campbell 4-3. It was the 1st ASG to go to OT since ‘78 when Smitty won MVP.
#lgi
As the decade comes to a close, what is your
#isles
moment of the decade??? My pick as much as I hate to admit it I’d say it would be our former captain’s overtime winner to eliminate the Panthers in 2016. First playoff series win in 23 years and man was it special.
#2010s
#nhl
#OTD
in 2020 the
#isles
beat the Flyers 4-0 in Gm. 1 of the Eastern Conf. Semifinal in TOR to take a 1-0 lead in the BO7 series. Andy Greene scored the GWG in the 1st. Pageau, Lee & Towes (ENG) also scored. Semyon Varlamov made 29 svs for his 2nd straight SOW.
#lgi
#nhl
#nyi
#20s
For those
#isles
fans who think it’s over, just remember in 1987 they came back from a 3-1 deficit in a series not once but twice in the same year, nearly making the Conf. Final. That team also had a rookie HC & was also thought to have had an aging core. Nothing is over.
#lgi
In the playoffs, there was not a better place to be as a fan, a louder place to play as a player or tougher game to play as an opponent. There was nothing like a sold out Coli in springtime. It was magical. I’m thankful I got to experience it firsthand.
#isles
The NY Isanders recently left their original home but for those who never got to see a game a Nassau Coliseum what was it like? The sights, sounds, smells, and feels. Share a memory.
#Isles
(This is a real fun video from
@13barzal
)
#OTD
in 2007, Al Arbour returned behind the
#isles
bench to coach his 1,500th gm. with the
#isles
& earned his 740th
#nyi
W, a dramatic come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Pens at a sold-out
#nassaucoliseum
to go to 7-4-0. Miro Satan scored the GTG & GWG in the 3rd. Hunter- 🚨.
#nhl
The Sutter Bros had a promo deal with Chi Chi’s Mexican restaurant during the dynasty days and appeared regularly in ads for the chain appearing in newspapers &
#isles
game day programs. They don’t let players do that stuff anymore but back then there was some interesting stuff.
#OTD
in 1979 the
#isles
use their 1st rd. selection (17th ovrl) in the
#nhl
Entry Draft in MTL to select RW Duane Sutter from the WHL’s Lethbridge Broncos. Sutter would make the team out of training camp & was a key member of all 4
#nyi
#stanleycup
teams.
#80s
#nhl
#islanders
#OTD
in 2020 the
#isles
beat the Flyers 3-1 in Gm. 3 of the Eastern Conf. Semifinal in TOR to take a 2-1 lead in the BO7 series. Leo Komarov scored the GWG in the 2nd. Martin & Lee (ENG) also scored. Eberle- 2 🍎. Varlamov made 26 svs for the W in net.
#lgi
#nyi
#nhl
#islanders
#HBD
to THE CAPTAIN himself, Denis Potvin. His reputation speaks for itself. One of the greatest Defenseman to ever lace up a pair of skates, one of the greatest leaders the game has ever seen, & capt. of the one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.
#isles
#lgi
#nhl
#nyi
#OTD
in 2015 the world lost a giant among men, legendary
#isles
coach Al Arbour, who passed away at 82 from Parkinson’s disease. Arbour led the
#nyi
to their 4 straight
#stanleycups
in the early ‘80s & won 782 gms. as
#nhl
HC. Here’s his
@HockeyHallFame
induction video from 1996