Patrick Division semi-finals Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins The Islanders won the first two games of the best-of-5 series, outscoring Pittsburgh 15–3. The Penguins then came back to even the series with two victories of their own. In Game 5, the Islanders came from behind to win in overtime. The tying and winning goals were both scored by
John Tonelli. • April 7 Islanders 8, Penguins 1 • April 8 Islanders 7, Penguins 2 • April 10 Penguins 2, Islanders 1(OT) • April 11 Penguins 5, Islanders 2 • April 13 Islanders 4, Penguins 3(OT)
Islanders win series, 3 games to 2 Patrick Division Finals Islanders vs. New York Rangers After losing the opener, their first loss at home since December 29, the Islanders came back to win the next three games and, eventually, the series in six. The key goals were
Bryan Trottier's overtime winner of Game 3 and
Dave Langevin's in the third period of Game 6 that proved to be the series clincher. • April 15 Rangers 5, Islanders 4 • April 16 Islanders 7, Rangers 2 • April 18 Islanders 4, Rangers 3(OT) • April 19 Islanders 5, Rangers 3 • April 21 Rangers 4, Islanders 2 • April 23 Islanders 5, Rangers 3
Islanders win series, 4 games to 2 Wales Conference Finals Islanders vs. Quebec Nordiques The Islanders defeated the Nords decisively in the first two games played at the
Nassau Coliseum. In Quebec, they won Game 3 in overtime on a goal scored by
Wayne Merrick and finished the sweep three days later to advance to the Finals. • April 27 Islanders 4, Nordiques 1 • April 29 Islanders 5, Nordiques 2 • May 1 Islanders 5, Nordiques 4(OT) • May 4 Islanders 4, Nordiques 2
Islanders win series, 4 games to 0 Stanley Cup Finals New York Islanders vs. Vancouver Canucks The Canucks had their best chance to win a game in the first one, as a
Jim Nill short-handed marker gave them a 5–4 lead with only seven minutes to play in regulation time. However, the Islanders tied it when Mike Bossy banged home a loose puck after goaltender
Richard Brodeur had collided with his own defenceman,
Harold Snepsts, while trying to smother it. In the dying seconds of the first overtime period, Snepsts attempted to clear the puck up the middle, but it was intercepted by Bossy, who completed his hat trick with two seconds left on the clock to win the game for the Islanders. In game two, the Canucks led 4–3 after two periods, but the Isles came back to win again. The series then shifted to Vancouver, where the Canucks were boosted by a boisterous, towel-waving Vancouver crowd and had a great first period, but failed to score on
Billy Smith, who was brilliant. The Islanders went on to win 3–0, and then completed the sweep with a 3–1 victory on May 16 to win their third straight Cup.
Mike Bossy scored 7 goals in the four games and won the
Conn Smythe Trophy.
Islanders win series, 4 games to 0 ==Awards and records==