The upcoming Stanley Cup Final between the upstart Panthers and heavily-favored Golden knights reminds me of the nights before the Islanders attempted yet another time to win their first championship.

Events from four decades ago tend to cloud one's mind. Challenges which look so simple in print today were far from it 'way back when.

The upcoming Stanley Cup Final between the upstart Panthers and heavily favored Golden Knights reminds me of the nights before the New York Islanders attempted yet another time to win their first championship.

We tend to forget that the Isles of 1977-78 were favored to win The Cup. Rookie Mike Bossy would win the Calder Trophy, Denis Potvin was en route to a career year, and five Islanders were at the All-Star Game. .They won the Patrick Division by six points over Philadelphia.

'We all felt we had the talent to win The Cup,' said captain Ed Westfall.

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But it wasn't to be. The hard-hitting Maple Leafs knocked them off in Game Seven on an overtime goal by Lanny McDonald. "The series came down to one goal," lamented Bob Nystrom. "It's heartbreaking."

The feeling was repeated a year later when the hated Rangers upset an again favored Isles team. This time the word "choke' was bandied about by a few media types. Every Islander felt the sting.

Which brings us to playoff-eve 1980. Unlike the optimism generated during the previous two playoff years, a feeling of uncertainty enveloped the team. The lack of confidence even followed the acquisition of Butch Goring from Los Angeles.

"A label was put on us,' said Nystrom.

The label was "chokers' and it created unease throughout the line as well as the entire fan base. What's more, the term "favorites" no longer was attached to coach Al Arbour's squad.

In that sense, there's a keen similarity between that 1980 squad and the Panthers.

Let's not forget that Florida entered this season after the most prolific regular campaign, and their first playoff series win since 1995-96. But the Presidents' Trophy winners then barely beat Washington and were swept out by rival Tampa Bay.

Like the Isles of 1980, the contemporary Panthers puzzled their followers all season, but they did get in and -- just look at them now -- are ready to challenge for their first Cup.

For three rounds, the Isles battled successfully and -- well -- you know the rest.

Now we'll see whether Florida has the game goods the Nassauen had 43 years ago!