Rick MacLeish’s Game 7 Hat Trick Ends Islanders’ 1975 Comeback Bid

The New York Islanders had pushed the defending Stanley Cup champions to the brink of an embarrassing collapse. After Philadelphia won the first three games of their 1975 semifinal series, New York answered with three straight victories. That left everything riding on Game 7 at the Spectrum on May 13, 1975. Rick MacLeish made sure the Flyers’ title defence would continue.

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Highlights

• Played May 13, 1975, at the Spectrum.

• New York forced Game 7 after trailing the series 3–0.

• Gary Dornhoefer opened the scoring just 19 seconds in.

• MacLeish scored twice on the power play in the first period.

• His empty-net goal completed the hat trick in a 4–1 win.

• Bernie Parent stopped 14 of 15 shots.

• Philadelphia advanced to face Buffalo and won its second straight Stanley Cup.

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Gary Dornhoefer gave Philadelphia an immediate lift, opening the scoring just 19 seconds after the opening faceoff. MacLeish followed with a power-play goal at 2:27, assisted by Bill Barber and Bobby Clarke. That early marker would stand as the game winner, although the Islanders briefly cut the lead to 2–1 on a Jude Drouin power-play goal at 5:02.

MacLeish restored Philadelphia’s two-goal cushion at 7:11 of the first period, beating Glenn Resch for his second power-play goal of the night. Larry Goodenough supplied the lone assist on the goal, MacLeish’s ninth of the playoffs. The Flyers carried that 3–1 advantage through a scoreless second period and deep into the third.

With Resch pulled for an extra attacker, MacLeish completed his hat trick at 18:52, scoring into the empty net with an assist from Don Saleski. Philadelphia’s 4–1 victory ended New York’s comeback bid and secured a second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final. MacLeish led all players with eight shots, followed by Reggie Leach with seven, while Bernie Parent stopped 14 of the Islanders’ 15 shots.

It was MacLeish’s second hat trick of the 1975 postseason. He had opened Philadelphia’s quarterfinal series against Toronto with three goals and an assist in a 6–3 victory on April 13. Against Buffalo in the Stanley Cup Final, he scored once in six games as the Flyers captured their second straight championship. His Game 7 performance against the Islanders helped ensure they had the opportunity.

So You Think You're a Philadelphia Flyers Fan?: Stars, Stats, Records, and Memories for True Diehards

A deep dive into Flyers history filled with stars, records, stats, and unforgettable memories from the ice — perfect for true diehards and history buffs.

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J.P. Parise’s 11-Second OT Goal Gives Islanders Their First Playoff Series Win

The New York Islanders could hardly have asked for a more dramatic introduction to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Making their first postseason appearance in 1975, they faced their neighbours and natural rivals, the New York Rangers, in a best-of-three preliminary round. After the teams split the opening two games, the series came down to an April 11 showdown at Madison Square Garden.

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Highlights

• The Islanders made their first Stanley Cup playoff appearance in 1975.

• Their opening series against the Rangers required a deciding third game.

• Clark Gillies and Denis Potvin built a 3-0 Islanders lead.

• Bill Fairbairn and Steve Vickers led the Rangers’ third-period comeback.

• J.P. Parise scored just 11 seconds into overtime for a 4-3 victory.

• The goal broke Pit Martin’s 12-second playoff overtime record from 1972.

• Parise and Jude Drouin had joined the Islanders in separate January trades with Minnesota.

• The Islanders advanced to the semifinals before losing to Philadelphia in seven games.

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For two periods, the Islanders appeared to have the deciding game under control. Clark Gillies opened the scoring in the first, and Denis Potvin added two second-period goals, one on the power play and another shorthanded. That gave the visitors a 3-0 lead heading into the third. The Rangers, however, refused to let their season end quietly. Bill Fairbairn scored twice before Steve Vickers supplied the equalizer, sending the game into overtime.

The extra period lasted just 11 seconds. Jude Drouin found J.P. Parise, who beat Ed Giacomin to give the Islanders a 4-3 victory and the first playoff series win in franchise history. Giacomin had replaced Gilles Villemure during the second period and stopped all four shots he faced before overtime. The next one ended the Rangers’ season.

Parise’s winner also established a record for the fastest overtime goal in Stanley Cup playoff history. He shaved one second off the previous mark, set by Chicago’s Pit Martin against the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 9, 1972. For the Islanders, the historical footnote was a bonus: their first taste of playoff hockey had produced a series victory over their biggest rivals.

The two forwards behind the winning goal had arrived from the Minnesota North Stars just three months earlier. On January 5, 1975, the Islanders acquired Parise for Ernie Hicke and Doug Rombough. Two days later, they sent Craig Cameron to Minnesota for Drouin. Those separate deals gave New York a pair of experienced forwards who would make an immediate postseason impact.

The Islanders went on to eliminate Pittsburgh in seven games before pushing the Philadelphia Flyers to a seventh game in the semifinals. Against Philadelphia, New York lost the first three games before winning three straight to stay alive. Parise and Drouin helped launch that comeback in Game 4, this time reversing roles: Drouin scored the overtime winner, with assists going to Parise and Ed Westfall. The Flyers eventually ended the run, but the Islanders’ first postseason had given their fans plenty to remember.

Rangers vs. Islanders: Denis Potvin, Mark Messier, and Everything Else You Wanted to Know about New York's Greatest Hockey Rivalry

Explore the fierce rivalry between the New York Rangers and New York Islanders, featuring legendary figures, unforgettable clashes, and the moments that defined one of hockey’s most intense matchups.

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Before Mike Bossy: The Islanders’ Long Island Lighting Company

Before Mike Bossy joined the New York Islanders, Bryan Trottier, Clark Gillies and Billy Harris were already giving opposing goaltenders plenty to worry about. Known as the Long Island Lighting Company, the trio combined for 98 goals and 128 assists in 1975-76. Their 226 points came from three players at different stages of their development: Trottier was a rookie, Gillies was in his second NHL season, and Harris was the franchise’s original first overall draft pick.

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Highlights

• Trottier, Gillies and Harris combined for 98 goals and 226 points in 1975-76.

• Trottier won the Calder Trophy after a 95-point rookie season.

• Gillies scored at least 30 goals six times during his NHL career.

• Harris was the first draft selection in Islanders history.

• Bossy’s 53-goal rookie season in 1977-78 reshaped New York’s top line.

• Harris and Dave Lewis were traded for Butch Goring shortly before the Islanders’ first championship.

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Their combined goal total slipped to 87 in 1976-77, and Bossy’s arrival the following season changed the Islanders’ offensive identity. With Bossy scoring 53 goals as a rookie, Trottier surged to 123 points and Gillies contributed 35 goals and 85 points. Harris remained a productive player, but his place alongside two future Hall of Famers had become part of Islanders history.

Bryan Trottier

Selected in the second round of the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft, Bryan Trottier spent another season in junior hockey before joining the Islanders. He piled up 46 goals and 98 assists for 144 points with the Lethbridge Broncos in 1974-75, then made an immediate NHL impact with 32 goals and 95 points in his Calder Trophy-winning rookie season. Trottier went on to record six 100-point seasons with New York and win the Art Ross, Hart and Conn Smythe trophies. Between 1975-76 and 1993-94, he played 1,279 regular season games and 221 playoff games with the Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins, winning four Stanley Cups with New York and two more with Pittsburgh. He entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997, and the Islanders retired his number 19 in 2001.

Clark Gillies

The Islanders selected Clark Gillies fourth overall in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft after three seasons with the Regina Pats. He moved directly into the NHL and scored 25 goals as a rookie in 1974-75, bringing a combination of scoring ability and physical strength that would become essential to New York’s success. Gillies reached 30 goals six times, setting his career high with 38 in 1981-82, and served as captain from during the 1976-77 season until 1979. A member of all four Islanders championship teams, he finished his NHL career with 958 regular season games and 164 playoff appearances between 1974-75 and 1987-88, playing for New York and the Buffalo Sabres. His number 9 was retired in 1996, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002.

Billy Harris

Billy Harris became the first draft pick in Islanders history when New York selected him first overall in 1972. He arrived after a standout final season with the Toronto Marlboros, scoring 57 goals and 129 points to win the Eddie Powers Trophy as the league’s leading scorer. Harris scored 28 goals as an NHL rookie and finished third in Calder Trophy voting behind Steve Vickers and Bill Barber. He scored at least 23 goals in each of his first five seasons, including a career-best 32 during the Long Island Lighting Company’s memorable 1975-76 campaign, and added 22 in his sixth.

Bossy’s arrival changed Harris’s role, and his Islanders career ended just before the franchise’s greatest years. On March 10, 1980, New York traded Harris and defenceman Dave Lewis to the Los Angeles Kings for Butch Goring, whose arrival helped the Islanders capture the first of four consecutive Stanley Cups. Harris finished his NHL career with 897 regular season games and 71 playoff appearances between 1972-73 and 1983-84 with the Islanders, Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs. Although he missed out on the championships, his contribution to building the Islanders into contenders deserves to be remembered.

All Roads Home: A Life On and Off the Ice

The autobiography of Bryan Trottier — his journey through hockey greatness and life beyond the rink.

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Number 23 Scores No. 23: Bob Gainey’s Career-Best Goal Total

Bob Gainey built his reputation as one of the NHL’s finest defensive forwards, but Montreal’s number 23 could contribute at the other end of the ice, too. The Peterborough, Ontario native scored 239 regular-season goals during his career and reached the 20-goal mark four times. His personal best came in 1980-81, when he scored 23 times. Fittingly, goal number 23 was a game-winner against the New York Islanders.

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Highlights

• Gainey scored a career-high 23 goals in 1980-81.

• His 23rd came against the Islanders on March 31, 1981.

• Rod Langway and Doug Jarvis assisted on the milestone goal.

• The second-period tally was the winner in Montreal’s 3-1 victory.

• Gainey’s 47 points that season also represented a career high.

• Montreal retired his number 23 on February 23, 2008.

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On March 31, 1981, the Canadiens hosted the Islanders at the Montreal Forum. The teams exchanged first-period goals, then remained tied at 1-1 through much of the second. With two of the league’s top clubs locked in a tight contest, Gainey supplied the breakthrough.

At 16:52 of the second period, Gainey beat Islanders goaltender Roland Melanson for his 23rd goal of the season. Rod Langway and Doug Jarvis earned the assists as Montreal moved ahead 2-1. The Canadiens went on to win 3-1, leaving Gainey’s milestone goal as the deciding tally.

Gainey also established a career high with 47 points that season. Montreal finished first in the Norris Division and third in the NHL’s overall standings, behind the Islanders and St. Louis Blues. That regular-season success did not carry into the playoffs, however. The Edmonton Oilers swept the Canadiens in their opening-round series.

From 1973-74 through 1988-89, Gainey played 1,160 regular-season games and another 182 playoff contests, all with Montreal. His career included five Stanley Cup championships and four Selke Trophy wins, followed by induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992. The Canadiens retired his number 23 on February 23, 2008, another fitting numerical connection for a player whose best goal-scoring season peaked at 23.

A Great Game: The Forgotten Leafs & the Rise of Professional Hockey

Explore the fascinating early history of professional hockey, including the forgotten Toronto teams, personalities, and events that helped shape the game into Canada's national winter obsession.

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Bryan Trottier Wins It With One Second Left Against the Flyers

With just one second remaining in regulation, Bryan Trottier completed an improbable New York Islanders comeback against the Philadelphia Flyers.

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Highlights

• January 17, 1986, at the Philadelphia Spectrum

• Flyers led 3-1 after two periods

• Mark Hamway started the Islanders’ comeback

• Brent Sutter tied the game at 3-3

• Bryan Trottier scored with one second remaining

• Mike Bossy and Greg Gilbert assisted on the winning goal

• Billy Smith made 21 saves in the 4-3 victory

• Trottier’s winner was his 21st goal of the season

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On January 17, 1986, the Flyers hosted the Islanders at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. The home team carried a comfortable 3-1 lead into the second intermission after goals from Brian Propp, Dave Poulin and Ilkka Sinisalo. Poulin’s goal came while Philadelphia was shorthanded.

The Islanders Rally in the Third Period

New York began its comeback just 2:20 into the third period. Mark Hamway scored his fourth goal of the 1985-86 season, assisted by Gord Dineen and Duane Sutter, to reduce the Flyers’ lead to one.

Just over ten minutes later, Duane’s brother Brent Sutter tied the game at 3-3. His ninth goal of the season beat Philadelphia goaltender Bob Froese, with Mikko Makela and Denis Potvin earning the assists.

Bryan Trottier Beats the Clock

With overtime appearing inevitable, Bryan Trottier delivered the winning goal at the last possible moment. Trottier scored his 21st of the season with only one second remaining, giving the Islanders a dramatic 4-3 victory. Mike Bossy and Greg Gilbert assisted on the goal, which came on Trottier’s third shot of the night.

Froese and Islanders goaltender Billy Smith each faced 24 shots, with “Battlin’ Billy” making one additional save. Bossy, Gilbert and Potvin recorded two points apiece for New York, while Mark Howe and Brian Propp did the same for Philadelphia. Tim Kerr led all players with six shots on goal but was kept off the scoresheet.

One second was all Bryan Trottier needed to turn a likely overtime game into an unforgettable Islanders victory.

All Roads Home: A Life On and Off the Ice

The autobiography of Bryan Trottier — his journey through hockey greatness and life beyond the rink.

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Mike Bossy Makes NHL History as the First Rookie (and Islander) to Reach 50 Goals

When the New York Islanders welcomed the Washington Capitals to Nassau Coliseum on April 1, 1978, everyone in the building knew what was at stake. Rookie sensation Mike Bossy entered the game sitting on 49 goals, just one away from becoming the first player in Islanders history, and the first rookie in NHL history, to reach the coveted 50-goal milestone.

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Highlights

• Mike Bossy entered the game with 49 goals.

• Scored his historic 50th goal on April 1, 1978.

• Became the first Islanders player to reach 50 goals.

• First NHL rookie ever to score 50 goals.

• Added his 51st goal with five seconds remaining.

• Islanders rallied for a 3-2 victory over Washington.

• Finished his rookie season with 53 goals.

• Began a streak of nine consecutive 50-goal seasons.

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For more than two periods, Washington goaltender Bernie Wolfe kept Bossy off the scoresheet. The rookie finally broke through at 11:52 of the third period, firing a power-play goal past Wolfe while Bill Riley served a tripping penalty. Bryan Trottier and Denis Potvin picked up the assists as the Nassau Coliseum crowd erupted in celebration.

Bossy wasn't finished. With just five seconds remaining, he struck again on another power play, scoring his 51st goal of the season with Bryan Watson in the penalty box for holding. Clark Gillies and Potvin assisted on the game-winning goal, completing a dramatic comeback as New York erased a 2-1 deficit to defeat the Capitals 3-2.

Despite the loss, Bernie Wolfe turned in an outstanding performance for Washington, stopping 41 shots, including 11 from the stick of Denis Potvin. At the other end, Glenn Resch faced only 18 shots, surrendering goals to Guy Charron and Tom Rowe.

Bossy finished his remarkable rookie campaign with 53 goals, shattering Rick Martin's rookie record of 44 set during the 1971-72 season. The achievement launched one of the greatest goal-scoring careers in NHL history, as Bossy recorded nine consecutive 50-goal seasons. More than four decades later, only four NHL rookies have ever scored 50 goals in their first season. Teemu Selanne set the all-time rookie record with 76 goals in 1992-93, while Joe Nieuwendyk and Alex Ovechkin are the only others to join Bossy in the exclusive club.

Rangers vs. Islanders: Denis Potvin, Mark Messier, and Everything Else You Wanted to Know about New York's Greatest Hockey Rivalry

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The Night Butch Goring Dominated His Future Stanley Cup Team

Long before becoming a key piece of the New York Islanders dynasty, Butch Goring gave them a firsthand look at his brilliance.

Game Highlights

• Butch Goring recorded a 4-point night (2 goals, 2 assists), factoring in all four Kings goals
• Los Angeles Kings defeated the New York Islanders 4-1 on March 28, 1974
• Goring assisted on Mike Corrigan’s opening goal in the first period
• Denis Potvin tied the game shortly after to make it 1-1
• Goring scored the game-winning goal late in the second period (25th of the season)
• Added a second goal early in the third period (26th of the season)
• Picked up another assist on a goal by Bob Nevin
• Corrigan recorded a Gordie Howe Hat Trick (goal, assist, fight)
• Goring took a minor penalty: his only penalty of the entire 1973-74 season
• Performance came years before Goring joined the Islanders and helped win four straight Stanley Cups

On March 28, 1974, at the The Forum in Los Angeles, Goring dominated the Islanders in a 4-1 victory for the Los Angeles Kings, factoring in every single goal.

At the time, this was still pre-Marcel Dionne in Los Angeles, and Goring was the offensive engine of the Kings. He proved it early in this one. Midway through the opening period, he picked up an assist on Mike Corrigan’s 16th goal of the season, with Bob Nevin also drawing a helper.

The Islanders answered quickly, as Denis Potvin tied the game less than two minutes later, sending the teams into the intermission deadlocked at one.

From there, it became the Goring show.

Late in the second period, Goring scored his 25th goal of the season, set up by Tom Williams and Sheldon Kannegiesser, a goal that would stand as the game-winner. He struck again early in the third for his second of the night, then added an assist on another Nevin goal to complete a dominant four-point performance.

While Goring controlled the scoresheet, Corrigan added a different kind of flair. His goal and assist were complemented by a third-period fight with Garry Howatt, giving him the rare Gordie Howe Hat Trick.

Goring’s night, however, had its own unique footnote. He took a minor penalty for hooking in the first period, remarkably, the only penalty he recorded during the entire 1973–74 season.

Years later, Goring would join the Islanders and help deliver four straight Stanley Cups. But on this night in 1974, he was the one doing the damage against them and perhaps planting the first seeds of what was to come.

Tales from the Los Angeles Kings Locker Room

A collection of the greatest Kings stories ever told — from the locker room to unforgettable moments on the ice.

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Bobby Gould’s Big Moment in Washington’s First Playoff Run

The Washington Capitals endured a long and difficult start after entering the NHL in 1974-75. With just eight wins in their inaugural season and no playoff appearances in their first eight years, success seemed distant for the struggling expansion franchise.

That finally changed in 1982-83. The Capitals posted their first winning season and finished third in the Patrick Division, just two points behind the powerhouse New York Islanders, who also happened to be their first-ever playoff opponent.

In Game 1 of that opening-round series, Bobby Gould made franchise history. At 4:01 of the first period, he scored the Capitals’ first playoff goal against Billy Smith, with Dennis Maruk picking up the assist. Gould added another goal in the game, though Washington fell 5-2.

He stayed red-hot in Game 2, scoring twice, including the game-winner, to give the Capitals their first playoff victory. But after that, the Islanders took control, eliminating Washington in four games before continuing their march to another Stanley Cup.

Despite the short series, Gould left his mark with five goals in four games, an unforgettable performance that helped launch Capitals playoff history.

Washington Capitals: Team History

A look back at the history of the Washington Capitals — from expansion years to modern success.

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Terry O'Reilly’s Wild Night: Three Fights in One Playoff Game vs the Islanders

On April 19, 1980, Terry O'Reilly delivered one of the grittiest performances of his career, dropping the gloves three times in a single playoff game against the New York Islanders. It was a night that perfectly captured the raw intensity of playoff hockey in that era.

The Boston Bruins entered their quarter-final series as the favorite, finishing the regular season with 14 more points than the Islanders. But expectations quickly unraveled. Heading into Game 3, Boston already trailed the series 2-0, and things were only about to get tougher at Nassau Coliseum.

O’Reilly wasted no time making an impact. He assisted on the game’s opening goal, scored by Don Marcotte against Billy Smith, but it was his physical presence that defined the night. Midway through the first period, he squared off with the powerful Clark Gillies. Not once, but twice. The two heavyweights clashed again just minutes later in a rare back-to-back showdown.

By the third period, with the Islanders leading 4-2, O’Reilly found himself in yet another battle, this time against the feisty Garry Howatt. The altercation resulted in additional penalties and ultimately a game misconduct for “Taz,” bringing his night to an early end. Given the punishment he’d already absorbed, the early exit may have been a welcome relief.

When the dust settled, O’Reilly had racked up 31 penalty minutes in one game, an almost unthinkable number by today’s standards. In the modern NHL, multiple fights in a single game would likely result in suspensions. But in 1980, it was simply part of the battle.

Despite Boston’s 5-3 loss and a daunting 3-0 series deficit, O’Reilly wasn’t done. In Game 4, he returned with a more measured performance, just two minor penalties, but made a huge impact offensively, scoring the game-winning goal and adding two assists in a 4-3 victory to keep the Bruins alive. Still, the Islanders would close out the series in Game 5 and continue their march toward what would become a dynasty.

Boston Bruins: Greatest Moments and Players

A celebration of the iconic history of the Boston Bruins — from legendary players to unforgettable moments.

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Guy Chouinard’s 6-Assist Night Fuels 11-4 Calgary Flames Explosion

On February 25, 1981, the Calgary Flames welcomed the New York Islanders to the historic Stampede Corral for a showdown between two strong clubs. The Islanders held a 12-point edge in the standings, but what unfolded that night had little to do with pre-game expectations.

In their first season after relocating from Atlanta, the Flames were still establishing franchise benchmarks. Guy Chouinard set one in spectacular fashion, recording six assists, a single-game franchise record that still stands (later matched by Gary Suter in 1986). Chouinard set up goals by Bob MacMillan (2), Paul Reinhart, Kent Nilsson, Eric Vail, and Don Lever in a dazzling display of playmaking.

The Islanders led 4-3 after the opening period, but Calgary erupted thereafter. The Flames scored eight unanswered goals against goaltender Glenn Resch, transforming a tight contest into a stunning 11-4 rout. At the time, the eleven goals established a franchise scoring record, later surpassed in a 13-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks in 1993.

Kent Nilsson delivered a five-point performance with a hat trick and two assists, while MacMillan added a pair of goals and a helper. Ken Houston rounded out the fireworks with a classic Gordie Howe HatTrick: a goal, an assist, and a first-period fight with Clark Gillies.

The Battle of Alberta: The Historic Rivalry Between the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames

A deep dive into one of hockey’s most intense rivalries — the Edmonton Oilers vs. the Calgary Flames, featuring unforgettable games, personalities, and playoff clashes.

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Eight Seconds of History: Lafontaine’s Record-Breaking Night for the Islanders

Pat Lafontaine wasted little time making history during his first full NHL season with the New York Islanders.

The 1984-85 campaign marked Lafontaine’s first complete year in the league after joining the Islanders late in 1983-84, fresh off representing the United States at the Winter Olympics. Limited to just 67 of New York’s 80 games, Lafontaine still managed 19 goals, including a blistering two-goal burst that rewrote the Islanders’ record book.

On February 16, 1985, the Islanders hosted the Hartford Whalers at Nassau Coliseum. Despite sitting at -opposite ends of the standings, Hartford proved stubborn, and the game ultimately ended in a 4-4 tie.

With the Islanders trailing 3-1, Lafontaine struck at 8:53 of the second period, beating goaltender Greg Millen with assists from Tomas Jonsson and Dave Langevin. Just eight seconds later, at 9:01, Lafontaine struck again, this time assisted by Pat Flatley and Greg Gilbert, tying the game and setting a new franchise record for the fastest two goals by a single player.

The previous Islanders record of 10 seconds had been set by Clark Gillies during the 1974-75 season. Lafontaine’s eight-second burst erased it.

Both teams traded goals in the third period, and the game finished deadlocked at four, but the night belonged to the young Islanders center.

Lafontaine went on to compile an extraordinary NHL career, scoring 468 regular-season goals in just 865 games between 1983-84 and 1997-98 with the New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres. He recorded six consecutive seasons with at least 41 goals, including two 50-goal campaigns, 54 goals with the Islanders in 1989-90 and 53 with the Sabres in 1992-93, cementing his legacy as one of the era’s most dangerous scorers.

Stories From The Epic History Of NHL Hockey (Volume IV)

Dive into unforgettable tales from NHL history — the biggest moments, legendary players, and classic rivalries.

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Pat Lafontaine Finds His NHL Groove in Just His Second Game with the Islanders

Pat Lafontaine wasted little time proving he belonged in the NHL. Less than two weeks after representing the United States at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Yugoslavia, the highly touted rookie was already making his presence felt with the New York Islanders.

Selected third overall in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft, behind Brian Lawton and Sylvain Turgeon, Lafontaine joined a veteran Islanders lineup late in the 1983-84 season. Despite appearing in just 15 regular-season games, he produced an impressive 13 goals and 19 points, an early sign of the elite scoring touch that would define his career.

Lafontaine’s second NHL game, played on March 3, 1984, came at Maple Leaf Gardens against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In classic high-scoring 1980s fashion, the Islanders erupted for an 11-6 road victory and Lafontaine stole the spotlight.

At 11:31 of the first period, he scored his first NHL goal, beating Allan Bester with assists from Bob Bourne and Denis Potvin. Before the opening frame ended, Lafontaine added his first NHL assist, setting up John Tonelli as New York piled on four first-period goals.

The rookie wasn’t finished. In the third period, Lafontaine recorded three more points in a span of just over eight minutes. He scored his second goal at 4:05 against Rick St. Croix, picked up another assist on a Tonelli goal at 11:22, and completed his first NHL hat trick at 12:14. When the dust settled, Lafontaine had five points in just his second NHL appearance.

That explosive night was an early glimpse of what would become a remarkable NHL career. Between 1983-84 and 1997-98, Lafontaine scored 468 regular-season goals while starring for the Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, and New York Rangers. He reached the 50-goal mark twice, highlighted by a career-best 54-goal season in 1989-90. In recognition of his achievements, Pat Lafontaine was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.

Stories From The Epic History Of NHL Hockey (Volume IV)

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John Tonelli Hits 100 Points in Dramatic Fashion in Islanders’ 1984-85 Finale

John Tonelli reached a major personal milestone in unforgettable fashion during the final game of the 1984-85 NHL season, becoming just the fifth player in New York Islanders history to record a 100-point campaign. Alongside teammate Brent Sutter, Tonelli joined an exclusive club previously occupied only by Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, and Bryan Trottier. Since then, only Pat LaFontaine and Pierre Turgeon have managed the feat in an Islanders uniform.

Tonelli’s path to 100 points was anything but easy. After being shut out along with the rest of the Islanders in a 3–0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 79, Tonelli entered the season finale stuck at 99 points. The April 6, 1985 matchup against the New Jersey Devils at Nassau Coliseum appeared to be slipping away as the third period wound down without a goal, and New Jersey clung to a 5-4 lead.

With just 48 seconds remaining in regulation, Tonelli delivered when it mattered most. He scored his 42nd goal of the season against Devils goaltender and former Islander Glenn Resch, with assists from Mike Bossy and Clark Gillies. The goal not only tied the game but also gave Tonelli his long-awaited 100th point. Overtime failed to produce a winner, and the contest ended in a 5-5 tie, but the moment belonged to Tonelli.

Brent Sutter also played a key role in Islanders history during the 1984-85 season. He finished with 102 points, collecting an assist in the finale. Sutter reached the 100-point mark earlier, on March 12, 1985, during a road win over the St. Louis Blues in which he recorded four points. His total could have been even higher if not for missing ten late-season games before returning for the final two contests.

About John Tonelli

John Tonelli played 1,028 regular season and 172 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1978-79 and 1991-92 with the New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks and Quebec Nordiques. 

The four-time Stanley Cup champion was originally drafted by the Islanders in the second round of the 1977 NHL Amateur Draft but started his major league career in the WHA. Between 1975-76 and 1977-78, Tonelli played 224 regular season and 34 playoff games in the World Hockey Association, all with the Houston Aeros.

Deal With It: The Trades That Shook Hockey & How They Changed The Game

A fascinating look at the blockbuster trades that reshaped NHL history, revealing the stories, strategies, and consequences behind the deals that changed teams — and the game itself.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: John Tonelli

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. Which NHL team originally drafted John Tonelli?

Toronto Maple Leafs
New York Islanders
Montreal Canadiens
Chicago Blackhawks

2. How many Stanley Cups did John Tonelli win during his NHL career?

Two
Three
Four
Five

3. During which season did John Tonelli record his only 100-point campaign?

1980-81
1984-85
1982-83
1986-87

4. Against which former New York Islanders goaltender did Tonelli score his 100th point?

Billy Smith
Glenn Resch
Chico Resch
Ron Hextall

5. Which Original Six team did John Tonelli play for late in his NHL career?

Chicago Blackhawks
Boston Bruins
Detroit Red Wings
New York Rangers

Butch Goring’s First NHL Game: Marked By A Rare Trip to the Penalty Box

When fans think of Butch Goring, they picture discipline, consistency, and almost no time spent in the penalty box. Across 1,107 NHL regular-season games from 1969-70 to 1984-85, Goring collected only 102 penalty minutes, a stunningly low total for someone who played through the gritty, high-contact 1970s and 80s. But his NHL debut on November 26, 1969, told a different story.

Skating for the Los Angeles Kings at Chicago Stadium, Goring recorded no points in the Kings’ 6-0 loss to Tony Esposito and the Blackhawks. But he did make the scoresheet by taking a minor penalty for hooking at 7:22 of the second period. Chicago converted on the power play, with Lou Angotti scoring and Bobby Hull and Gilles Marotte drawing assists.

That hooking call was one of just four minors Goring took in his entire rookie season. Even more impressively, he followed it up with one minor penalty per season for the next four years. Despite this remarkable discipline, Goring earned the Lady Byng Trophy only once, in 1977-78 with the Kings.

His cleanest year came in 1980-81 with the New York Islanders, when he played 78 games without taking a single penalty and still put up 23 goals and 60 points. Somehow, that season earned him only a seventh-place finish in Byng voting.

Goring didn’t wait long for his first NHL goal, though. The very next night in Detroit, he snapped Roger Crozier’s shutout bid at 18:38 of the third period, scoring the lone Kings goal in a 5–1 loss at the Olympia.

About Butch Goring

Butch Goring played 1,107 regular season and 134 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1969-70 and 1984-85 with the Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders and Boston Bruins. The four-time Stanley Cup champion was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 1980-81 as playoff MVP.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Butch Goring

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. Before joining the New York Islanders, Butch Goring spent the first decade of his NHL career with which team?

Boston Bruins
Los Angeles Kings
Detroit Red Wings
Vancouver Canucks

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2. How many Lady Byng Trophies did Butch Goring win in his NHL career?

None
One
Two
Three

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3. Butch Goring joined the New York Islanders just before their run of four consecutive Stanley Cups. Which season did that trade happen?

1978-79
1979-80
1980-81
1981-82

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4. In 1980-81, Goring played all 78 games without taking a single penalty. How many points did he record that season?

42
51
60
72

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5. Which award did Butch Goring win as playoff MVP during the Islanders' dynasty years?

Hart Trophy
Conn Smythe Trophy
Selke Trophy
Masterton Trophy

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NHL Hockey Card Greats: Butch Goring [Video]

Garry Howatt Leads the Charge in Record-Setting Playoff Brawl Between Islanders and Bruins

When the New York Islanders and Boston Bruins met in the 1979-80 Stanley Cup quarter-finals, few could have predicted that their series would etch itself into the NHL record books, not for goals or saves, but for sheer chaos.

Game 1 at Nassau Coliseum was mild enough, a clean 2-1 win for the Islanders featuring just eight minor penalties. But Game 2 was an entirely different story. The opening period exploded into mayhem, capped by a full-scale brawl that produced 248 total penalty minutes, the most ever recorded in a single Stanley Cup playoff period.

Leading the charge was none other than Garry Howatt, the Islanders’ rugged forward known for his tenacity and fearlessness. Howatt racked up a game-high 32 penalty minutes, starting with a spirited scrap against Boston’s Wayne Cashman, plus a boarding minor, before joining the melee that erupted at the period’s final whistle.

By the time officials restored order, eight players had been tagged with fighting majors, misconducts, and game misconducts. From New York: Howatt, Duane Sutter, Bob Lorimer, and Gord Lane. From Boston: Cashman, Al Secord, Mike Milbury, and Stan Jonathan.

Despite the fireworks, the game itself delivered drama of a different kind. The teams settled down after the first intermission, combining for just three minor penalties the rest of the way. Bob Bourne sealed a 5-4 overtime win for the Islanders, who went on to sweep the Bruins and move on to face the Buffalo Sabres in the semi-final.

As for Howatt, he escaped suspension and was right back in the thick of it in Game 3, squaring off against Terry O’Reilly in yet another third-period fight. O’Reilly, ever the warrior, had already fought Clark Gillies twice earlier in the game, a testament to how fierce and physical this rivalry truly was.

About Garry Howatt

Garry Howatt played 720 regular season and 87 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1972-73 and 1983-84 with the New York Islanders, Hartford Whalers and New Jersey Devils. Over that time, the two-time Stanley Cup champion amassed 1,836 regular season penalty minutes. Originally, he was a lowly tenth round pick by the Islanders at the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft out of the Flin Flon Bombers.

The PDF versions of some of our hockey books are now available for free download: Take a look!

NHL Hockey Trivia: Garry Howatt

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. Which NHL team did Garry Howatt spend the majority of his career with?
   New York Islanders
   Hartford Whalers
   Quebec Nordiques
   Vancouver Canucks
   
2. What nickname was Garry Howatt known by during his playing days?
   The Toy Tiger
   The Little General
   The Pocket Rocket
   The Bulldog
   
3. How many Stanley Cups did Howatt win with the New York Islanders?
   One
   Two
   Three
   Four
   
4. Garry Howatt was part of one of the most penalty-filled playoff games in history. How many total penalty minutes were called in the first period of that game?
   198
   220
   248
   260
   
5. After leaving the Islanders, which team did Howatt join as part of a trade in 1981?
   Hartford Whalers
   New Jersey Devils
   California Golden Seals
   Winnipeg Jets
   

Bob Bourne Delivers Clutch Goals and Grit vs. the Jets

The New York Islanders dynasty wasn’t built solely on superstars like Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, and Denis Potvin. Players like Bob Bourne quietly carved out reputations as game-changers in crucial moments. On March 11, 1981, he delivered one of his finest performances.

That season, Bourne scored 35 goals, including nine on the power play, seven shorthanded, and five game-winners. He was the very definition of a special teams specialist, thriving when it mattered most.

When the Islanders visited the Winnipeg Jets at Winnipeg Arena, the matchup looked lopsided. New York had 39 wins, while the Jets had only eight. Yet after the first period, the game was knotted 2-2. Bourne picked up an assist on Mike Bossy’s 62nd goal of the year to help even the score late in the frame.

In the second period, with Bob Nystrom serving a penalty, Bourne struck shorthanded. At 10:04, he snapped home his 28th goal of the season past Michel Dion, assisted by Denis Potvin. It stood up as the game-winning goal in a 6-3 Islanders victory.

Just 45 seconds later, Bourne showed he could mix it up, too. Dropping the gloves with Danny Geoffrion, he earned a five-minute major for fighting, giving him a Gordie Howe Hat Trick.

Bourne capped his night by scoring into the empty net with three seconds left, finishing with a three-point performance. His 35 goals and 76 points that season were both career highs, and he remained a vital cog in the Islanders’ machine during their run of four straight Stanley Cups.

About Bob Bourne

Bob Bourne played 964 regular season and 139 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1974-75 and 1987-88 with the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Kings. Bourne was originally a draft pick of the Kansas City Scouts. He was selected in the third round of the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft after a junior career with the Saskatoon Blades. He was traded to the Islanders just prior to the start of the 1974-75 NHL season.

The PDF versions of some of our hockey books are now available for free download: Take a look!

NHL Hockey Trivia: Bob Bourne

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. Bob Bourne spent the majority of his NHL career with which team?

Winnipeg Jets
New York Islanders
Calgary Flames
Minnesota North Stars

2. Bourne’s best NHL season came in 1980-81. How many goals did he score that year?

29
35
41
25

3. Bourne was part of how many consecutive Stanley Cup championships with the Islanders?

4
2
3
5

4. After leaving the Islanders, Bourne played for which NHL team?

New Jersey Devils
Toronto Maple Leafs
Los Angeles Kings
Buffalo Sabres

5. Which honor did Bob Bourne receive in 1988 recognizing his contributions beyond the game itself?

Induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Conn Smythe Trophy
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
Lester Patrick Trophy