As the Lightning attempt to become the first team in 40 years to win the Stanley Cup three times in a row, Denis Potvin will be watching his performances closely. It’s hard to capture the magnitude of the moment better than with the former defender of the powerful Islanders of the 1980s, who remain the last to have accomplished the feat.
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New York had just celebrated two wins in a row when in the spring of 1982, 40 years ago, they overthrew the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Nordiques and Vancouver Canucks in quick succession to lift the big trophy a third consecutive year.
Never since has such domination been exercised. Even the Islanders then offered themselves a fourth coronation in a row, in addition to seeing their fifth opportunity slip through their fingers at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers in 1984.
After all these years, Potvin watches Tampa Bay and relive his memories.
Archival photo
Denis Potvin contributed greatly to the success of the Islanders in the 1980s.
“When you already have two straight cups under your belt and you find yourself in the playoffs again, there is a feeling of confidence that becomes unshakable after so much success. When you win the same, there comes a time when you don’t even imagine for a second that you could end up losing, ”told the Log the 68-year-old man when joined in Florida.
Discipline
The Islanders of the time, despite a fine line-up of star players, were not always outrageously dominant in the regular season. Before two of their four championships in a row, they hadn’t amassed 100 points.
Regardless, the team was at its best in the playoffs during those glory years, recalls the native of Hull (now Gatineau).
“To get through such long springs, I’ve always said it takes courage, but above all discipline. When I talk about discipline, for me, it means that each individual must recognize their role and their limits.
“It was useless for me to tell myself that I had to create an attack. We had [Mike] Bossy and [Bryan] Trottier for that, but since everyone played their part, there has probably never been a team stronger in defense than us, ”said Potvin.
Despite the fatigue
Who says three finals in a row also says a lot of hockey in the legs, which inevitably become heavy. This is why Potvin insists on the importance of everyone putting their own side around the best players in the team.
“Our general manager Bill Torrey often said that you have to build a team for the season and a team for the playoffs. It’s different hockey, different preparation and a lot of different players have to have an impact,” he said.
Dynasty or novelty?
In the confrontation that begins tonight, some are pushing for the Lightning to confirm their dynasty, while others expect the Colorado Avalanche to in turn lay the foundations of a new empire.
Having experienced the transition of powers between two dynasties, Potvin knows that it is difficult to decide between the confidence of champions and the appetite of aspirants.
“The Avalanche will want to prove that they are the best team. Tampa has yet to receive such strong opposition. I still remember that in the final, in 1984, we had just won 19 series in a row and we had the same confidence. The Oilers were just ready for the changing of the guard.
“Anyway, it won’t be a problem for me if Tampa wins a third straight year, like we did then. I appreciate the good hockey that this team gives us,” Potvin said.
CHAMPIONS SEASON AFTER SEASON
Over time, very few organizations can claim the feat of having won the Stanley Cup at least three seasons in a row. Here, in the history of the NHL, are the only clubs that have achieved this great coup.
- NEW YORK ISLANDERS (4X champions from 1980 to 1983)
- MONTREAL CANADIAN (4X champions from 1976 to 1979)
- TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (3X champions from 1962 to 1964)
- MONTREAL CANADIAN (5X champions from 1956 to 1960)
- TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (3X champions from 1947 to 1949)
*The Edmonton Oilers were the last to become finalists three years in a row, from 1983 to 1985, but lost on their first try.
Feats that make you forget the wear and tear
Archival photo
Mark Messier, Kevin Lowe and Jari Kurri celebrating winning the Stanley Cup with the Oilers in May 1990.
Participating in a third Stanley Cup final in three years certainly leaves its mark, but victory is undoubtedly the best prescription against suffering.
“All the pain goes away in the summer when you respond to congratulatory messages, rather than questions about why you didn’t win,” wisely pointed out one of the former glories of the Oilers, Kevin Lowe.
The defender from Lachute, in the Laurentians, was at the heart of the Edmonton dynasty, which succeeded that of the New York Islanders in the 1980s.
The Oilers may never have won three Cups in a row, but they remain the last organization to appear in three straight Finals. After missing out on the final against the Islanders in 1983, they recovered well by winning the championship in 1984 and 1985.
“In this kind of situation, you have to hold on to every shred of motivation. Whenever the media or a member of the other team questions how good you are, you persist in proving the opposite. It’s very special what the Lightning are going through,” said Lowe.
A different time
The Oilers also had a chance to go for a hat-trick in 1986, but the Calgary Flames got the better of them in the semifinals.
“I remember some people were talking about a hat-trick in 1986, when we were finally eliminated by the Flames, but it wasn’t such a big story because the Islanders had just achieved the feat. Today for the Lightning, with all the years that have passed, it must be huge.
“It was easy to believe that in the current era of hockey, it would be practically impossible to win several cups in a row because of the salary cap and Tampa is demonstrating the opposite”, greets the one who was inducted into the Hall fame in 2020.
Perry and Maroon
No less than 13 Lightning players have also taken part with the team in the 2020 and 2021 finals.
That’s not counting Corey Perry, who is also in a third straight ultimate series, he who was previously with the Canadiens and the Dallas Stars.
And we must not forget Patrick Maroon, who will live his fourth consecutive final, after lifting the cup with the St. Louis Blues (2019) and Tampa Bay.
overcome the pain
In this context, accumulated fatigue and injuries must be considered.
“When you go through such a situation, the physical and mental fatigue is eclipsed by the experience you are going through,” says Lowe, however.
“The wear and tear on the body becomes difficult, but by dedicating yourself completely for a short period during the playoffs, you have the opportunity to rewrite history.
“It’s very rewarding. You hurt everywhere, but as a player, we all dream of these moments. First there are 16 teams, then eight, then four. You start to realize in the semi-finals that everyone is watching you while the others are on vacation. Not bad cool “Concludes the former defender, without commenting on the outcome of the final.