UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 4: Denis Potvin #5, former captain of the New York Islanders, addesses the fans as former general manager Bill Torrey (R) looks on during a ceremony honoring the 25th anniversary of the Islanders first Stanley Cup victory, before the Islanders game against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 4, 2006 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images/Bruce Bennett
The upset playoff losses to the Maple Leafs in 1978 and the Rangers the following year shook an Islanders organization that believed it was poised for greatness.
In particular, the fun-loving Clark Gillies felt the doubt.