It Happened at the Coliseum … on APRIL 25th

37 years ago tonight (1978) – Bob Nystrom scored the first of his franchise-record four overtime goals as the Islanders took a 3-2 lead in their quarter-final series with a 2-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

After a scoreless first period, Ian Turnbull gave the Maple Leafs a 1-0 lead early in the second period.  Denis Potvin knotted the game for the Isles at 13:39 of the middle session. 

Neither team scored in the final 26 minutes of regulation, or in the first eight minutes of the overtime.  

Nystrom’s goal at 8:02 of the extra session, over the left shoulder of Toronto goaltender Mike Palmateer, gave the Isles the victory and a 3-2 lead in the series. “I know it’s something I’ll carry with me for a long time”, Nystrom told Newsday’s Joe Gergen.

Both Palmateer and Islander goalie Chico Resch were sensational in net.  “Those two bleepin’ pipsqueaks looked more like they were 6’4” and 250 pounds”, noted Denis Potvin. 

The Isles outshot the Leafs 40-30, as they “held serve” in the series. 8:02 proved to be a lucky time for the Isles; Denis Potvin’s overtime goal against the Rangers in 1979 was also scored at 8:02

Take a look at the winning goal -- on a pretty end-to-end rush.  The video is from Hockey Night in Canada:

Despite being the home team and breaking a 2-2 tie in the series, the Isles lost game 6 on the road and game 7 at home – the Isles need the 2015 Capitals to follow that formula.

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Also on this date: (1985) – Mike Bossy scored his 82^nd playoff goal, tying Maurice Richard’s then-Stanley Cup record, as the Isles staved off elimination with a 6-2 win over Philadelphia. Bossy also had two assists as the Isles built a 4-0 lead and coasted to the win.

You can see the highlights from this game beginning at about 33:45 of this video:

All-time, the Isles have played no regular season and two playoff games on April 25th at the Coliseum; they have compiled a 2-0 playoff record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.  The final April 25th home game is today –as the Isles host Washington at 3:00. Make sure you’re there for the 121st Stanley Cup playoff game in Nassau County.  Hopefully it’s not the last!