The team finished 31–38–11, returning to the Stanley Cup playoffs after a one-year absence, but losing to their rivals the New York Rangers in the first round, four games to one.
The Islanders finished the regular season with the fewest power-play opportunities of all 21 teams in the league with just 330.
[2] [3]Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals againstNote: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.
Divisions: PTK – Patrick, ADM – Adams bold – Qualified for playoffs; p – Won Presidents' Trophy
[6] Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage; New York's draft picks at the 1989 NHL Entry Draft held at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota.