Special: Doormat to Dynasty - The 45-Year Anniversary of the N.Y. Islanders First Stanley Cup Championship

Their earliest years were, frankly, like those of many expansion teams. A team comprised of marginal talent as part of the 1972 Expansion Draft and the first-year record certainly reflected that.

While the second season saw only slight improvement in the standings, it was the promise of a first overall pick who went on to win the Calder Trophy that laid the foundation of what was ahead.

The third season saw a surprising playoff berth, a stunning opening round win over the veteran team from New York City and an historic comeback against Pittsburgh.

Then, reality.

While the team continued an upward trajectory, the playoff results got increasingly difficult over the course of the next four springs. Finally, in 1980, it came together. A strong core was bolstered in March by the arrival of a college defenseman fresh from winning Olympic gold and a veteran forward who became the final piece of the puzzle.

From there, they made history - some of which may never be seen again in the NHL.

Join the hosts as they go back 45 years with Captain Denis Potvin, left wing John Tonelli and defenseman Ken Morrow.

This is Doormat to Dynasty.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Open voiced by long-time Islanders play-by-play man Jiggs McDonald with Islanders theme underneath from organist Paul Cartier.

[01:25] - Welcome and after Vic and Neil do some initial reminiscing about Bob Nystrom's Cup clinching goal, guests Denis Potvin, John Tonelli and Ken Morrow are welcomed.

[05:00] - 45 years later, the guest share their recollections on the Nystrom goal.

[10:09] - The approach to 1980 following increasingly difficult playoff losses after the 1975 Cinderella run. Discussion includes the final pieces coming into place with Ken Morrow arrival fresh off a gold medal at the Olympics and Butch Goring proving to be the missing link coming in a trade from Los Angeles.

[16:15] - The road the first championship begins, including the brutal second round series against the Boston Bruins and some hijinks during the semi-final with Buffalo.

[32:25] - The Final against rival Flyers begins with some sidebar stories about the toughness of the Broad Street Bullies.

[52:10] - With a 3-1 series lead, the Isles drop Game 5 and return to Nassau Coliseum for the potential clincher. After letting a 4-2 third period lead get away, the stage is set for overtime.

[1:02:14] - Vivid descriptions of the celebration after the Islanders first-ever Stanley Cup-winning goal.

[1:10:51] - 1981 and the first defense of the Cup. The team doesn't miss a beat...even with Neil Smith joining the organization. Among the stories is Denis sharing the emotional piece of his brother Jean being traded away before being re-acquired.

[1:17:09] - After an opening round scare, the Isles roll to their third Cup with the Final over Vancouver featuring a spectacular goal in Game 3 by Conn Smythe winner Mike Bossy,

[1:23:24] - In pursuit of the fourth Cup, the club drops a bit during the regular season but is more than ready for an upstart team from Edmonton with a phenom wearing #99. In the end, the challengers learn some valuable lessons from the defending champs.

[1:33:49] - Going after the Canadiens record of five straight Stanley Cups, the Isles discover their opponent learned well from the previous spring. However, to this day, the guests are still rankled by a change in scheduling during the Final.

[1:43:50]- With the dynasty at an end, the perspective and significance of its place in league history becomes more evident with time.

[1:54:05] - A final personal question to Ken, John and Denis.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

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