A look at the NHL standings on January 1, 1983 would reveal that the Penguins and Islanders were in different hockey universes, what with the three-time reigning Stanley Cup Champion Isles once again sitting near the top and the Pens languishing near the basement, nine games below .500. But for some reason Pittsburgh always played New York tough at this time in their history. Heading into a contest that day at the Civic Arena, the Pens had won the last four meetings between the two teams at the Igloo. And, of course, Pittsburgh had pushed the Isles to the brink in the first round of the playoffs the year before, losing in overtime of the fifth and deciding game.
One of the biggest reasons for the Penguins success was goalie Michel Dion's appetite for playing against New York. "I feel pretty comfortable against the Islanders," he told the Pittsburgh Press in
this article. "I just like to play against them."
Dion foiled four breakaways from the star-studded Islanders while Andre St. Laurent and Mike Bullard, with the winner, provided the scoring. "It was nice to get two points now to start the year off right," said St. Laurent.
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