For forty years, the New York Islanders have represented Long Island with pride and passion. In their inception back in 1972, they became the metro area’s second hockey team. An alternative to the Rangers for Long Islanders. Ironically, the Islanders came to life keeping the WHA (World Hockey Association) from occupying Nassau Coliseum. That they became one of hockey’s greatest dynasties a decade later was a huge impact.

When you think of those Islander teams that won four consecutive Stanley Cups (1980-83) and an NHL record 19 straight series before falling to Edmonton in ’84, the names Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, Billy Smith, Clark Gillies, Bob Nystrom, Butch Goring and Al Arbour roll off the tongue. Without architect Bill Torrey, it’s not possible. He was the mastermind behind drafting a nucleus that included Hall Of Famers Bossy, Gillies, Potvin, Smith and Trottier. Torrey also hired Arbour, who previously coached St. Louis after helping them reach the Finals a third straight year. The Hall Of Fame winning combo of Torrey and Arbor allowed the Islanders to grow into a powerful team that contended for a decade.

Fittingly, the Isles’ first playoff success came at the expense of the Rangers when they upset them in 1975 on J.P. Parise’s goal in overtime. The franchise also became only the second team to ever rally back from a 3-0 deficit, winning four in a row to stun Pittsburgh in the next round thanks to popular backup Glenn “Chico” Resch. They almost pulled it off against the Flyers, who eventually repeated as Cup champs.

The rivalry between the Islanders and Rangers only intensified following the club’s third season. The Rangers got revenge on them in 1979 when everyone expected the Long Island outfit to roll through their Manhattan nemesis. Instead, it was a pesky Blueshirt club that prevailed in six led by goalie John Davidson. It was the Rangers who made the Finals before falling to Montreal in five. It didn’t take long for the Isles to return the favor, ousting their blood rival from the playoffs from ’81-83 en route to Lord Stanley. There was Ken Morrow’s sudden death winner along with the chants of “19—40, 19—40,” marking the last time the Rangers won the Cup. A chant that increased hatred in the stands. Maybe it was fate that the year they finally erased a 54-year drought, the Blueshirts swept the Islanders in the first round. Over time, the Ranger side has returned the favor with “Potvin Sucks.”

Despite having not faced each other since that chance meeting in ’94, the New York rivals have met each other eight different times in the postseason. Appropriately named the Battle Of New York, the Islanders have taken five of eight series with their last win coming in ’84. The Isles lead by the slimmest of margins with a 20-19 record. Led by John Tavares, a new breed of Islanders look to continue that rivalry as they get ready to enter a new building in Brooklyn by 2015. Whenever the NHL returns, so will one of hockey’s best rivalries.

BATTLE OF NEW YORK: Postseason History Islanders vs Rangers
Year       Round           Series Winner
1975       Preliminary    Islanders 2-1
1979       NHL Semis   Rangers 4-2
1981       NHL Semis   Islanders 4-0
1982       Div. Final       Islanders 4-2
1983       Div. Final       Islanders 4-2
1984       Div. Semis     Islanders 3-2
1990       Div. Semis     Rangers 4-1
1994       Conf. Qtrs     Rangers 4-0