Islanders goaltender Billy Smith, shown here in the team's first Stanley Cup run in 1980, was a stalwart of the Islanders' dynasty. Credit: Getty Images/Focus On Sport
Islanders coach Al Arbour met privately with his goalies, Billy Smith and Glenn “Chico” Resch, in the weeks leading up to the 1980 NHL playoffs.
“He said, ‘Guys, I know I’ve given you both a chance in every playoff,’ ” Resch recalled to Newsday. “’But this year, if one of you gets hot, we’ve got to go with you.’ Both Smitty and I agreed.”
Smith started and won Game 1 of the Islanders’ best-of-five first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings.