Battle of New York
The Rangers weren’t given much of a chance to beat the Islanders in the playoff semifinals. And, really, who could blame the doubters? Long Island’s franchise finished the season with a league-best 116 points as well as 51 wins, second only to Montreal’s 52.
What’s more, the Islanders won five of eight meetings against the Rangers during the season.
However, for their playoff series, Shero devised a two-part strategy: One, hit hard and often the Islanders’ top line of Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier and Clark Gillies. Two, get pucks in deep and force Denis Potvin to work harder.
Shero’s plan and his players’ discipline worked. The Rangers won in six games and advanced to the Finals.
Trottier scored once in the series after winning the league’s scoring title with 134 points. Bossy also had just one goal after posting 69 during the season, while Gilles was held to a lone assist.
Davidson did his part, yielding just 13 goals and stopping 21 shots in a series-clinching 2-1 win at the Garden.
The series had four games decided by a goal, including two in overtime by the Islanders. The widest margin of victory came in Game One, a 4-1 Rangers win at Nassau Coliseum.
All Ranger fans remember the image of a stunned Denis Potvin, crumpled to the ice after the Rangers had clinched the series.