The New York Islanders were originally formed in 1972 to provide a team for the newly built Nassau Veterans Stadium, as well as to stop New York Raiders (who played in the World Hockey Association) from moving there, ensuring that only NHL hockey took to the arena.
Forming a formidable team, the New York Islanders won four back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in the early 1980s, as well as numerous Conference and Division championships, and after a slower run in the 90s, the new millennium signaled greater success again for the Islanders.