Islanders Legends on Beating Gretzky's Oilers & 4 Championships

Captain Dennis Potvin, left wing John Tonelli, and defenseman Ken Morrow continue their celebration of the Islanders dynasty with Part 2. From the exhaustion of overtime to the relief of Bobby Nystrom's famous goal, the legends share what happened after May 24, 1980. Hear stories about defending four straight championships, the brutal 1982 Pittsburgh comeback, dominating Gretzky's young Oilers with defensive strategy, Billy Smith's battling mentality, the controversial 2-3-2 format that ended the dynasty in 1984, and why 19 consecutive playoff series wins will never be matched.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Overtime exhaustion: fear as the greatest motivator, never doubting the heart of champions against Philadelphia's 35-game unbeaten streak.

[01:00] - Ken Morrow's head between his knees: missing Bobby Nystrom's winning goal because of complete physical exhaustion.

[02:00] - Afternoon game disruption: how the unusual 3pm start on CBS threw off routines and added to the difficulty.

[03:00] - John Tonelli's celebration: nobody jumped and celebrated like JT in those days, the famous jumping moment.

[04:00] - Dennis Potvin's flashbulb memory: tasting the lead from old-fashioned camera flashes exploding throughout Nassau Coliseum.

[05:00] - Fans storming the ice: security couldn't hold back the celebration, Bobby Trottier never touching the Cup on ice.

[06:00] - The moment it sinks in: "Holy fuck, we've won the Stanley Cup" - processing what none of them had ever done before.

[07:00] - Relief before joy: Ken Morrow's first feeling was relief from not having to practice or play another shift.

[08:00] - John Tonelli's exhaustion: slow-motion pass to Nystrom, going home to bed after 20 minutes at Bill Torrey's party.

[09:00] - Dennis Potvin's Jean Beliveau moment: thinking of his childhood hero raising the Cup, then giving it to Clark Gillies first.

[11:00] - Defending champions 1980-81: best record at 110 points, sweeping Toronto, beating young Oilers in six, Rangers in six, Minnesota in five.

[12:00] - Butch Goring wins Conn Smythe: the catalyst from March 1980 carrying through, Neil Smith joins the organization.

[13:00] - Barry Beck's famous quote: "They know what we're gonna do before we do it" - Islander scouting and preparation.

[14:00] - Bill Torrey's genius: surrounding himself with great people, letting them do their jobs, the hallmark of championship organizations.

[15:00] - The Putsy Tonelli trade: Bill sending John's brother away, then bringing him back to win two Cups together.

[16:00] - Putsy's locker room presence: nobody better than John's brother for team morale and support, the intangibles that matter.

[17:00] - 1982 Pittsburgh collapse: up 2-0 in series, 3-1 late in game five, owner tells Penguins fans not to come.

[18:00] - The Al Arbor warmup trick: pulling Billy Smith on power play to buy time, rule cha