As a kid growing up, the Islanders were my team.  I’d stuck with them during tough times (ie. when the Leaf’s beat them out with Lanny’s game 7 overtime winner) so I was a happy camper as they rolled to four cups in the early 80’s.  However, the new Oiler kids on the block were too much fun to not like.  The Islanders swept them in the ’83 finals but when the same two teams met in the ’84 playoffs, (one of the great examples of young guns challenging the old guard) and the Islander’s “Drive for 5” was the tagline of the day, it was good stuff for any hockey fan.

The series turning point came in game 3 after the teams had split the opening pair on Long Island ice.  Messier scored a beauty that opened the floodgates and the Drive for 5 officially stalled shortly thereafter.