The Islanders raced to a two-goal final period advantage only to watch it evaporate under a three-goal New Jersey barrage and a 5-4 Devils victory. Worse still, Curtis Lazar's game winner came with a mere 23 seconds left in the third period.

In the old days, "Playoff-type Hockey" in season meant 1-0 and 2-1 games but in this giddy-up era it means score as much as you can and see what happens.

What happened last night at Prudential Center was unfortunately rather familiar for the Islanders -- exploding a third period lead.

"It's on us for letting them come back," said Bo Horvat who opened the scoring.

They raced to a two-goal final period advantage only to watch it evaporate under a three-goal New Jersey barrage and a 5-4 Devils victory. Worse still, Curtis Lazar's game winner came with a mere 23 seconds left in the third period.

Another concern will be tomorrow's visit to Raleigh and a challenge from a Carolina team that always gives the Isles conniptions; but did us a favor beating Philly last night.

Coach Lane Lambert's hope was to put the brakes on a home team that likes nothing better than to race and then race some more.

And for two periods-plus the blueprint worked. But -- unless you tell me differently -- hockey still is a three-period game and coach Lindy Ruff's outfit stepped on its accelerator. (Lambert couldn't find the "emergency" handle.)

Poof! Just like that, a possible two New York points went flying into Newark River while the Isles general staff now has to revert back to the drawing board and repair the defensive leaks. A beleaguered Ilya Sorokin can't do it by himself in goal.

"This stings," lamented Lambert. "This stings bad." (And that's an understatement.)

For starters they'll have to examine how the Orange and Blue collapsed like an old, portable bridge table -- and in two obvious places:

1. After outshooting the Devs by one in each of the first two periods, the Isles allowed their foe to overwhelm them, 15-7 in the final frame.

2. Penalties in the third to Mat Barzal and Oliver Holmstrom came at the worst possible time, leaving the club in a too-vulnerable four on three PK deficit.

Ironically, only two days ago boss Lou Lamoriello suggested that Barzal and Bo Horvat are capable of even better production.

Dutifully, Bo opened the scoring and Matty made it a 2-1 game for the Visitors. More red lights courtesy of Cal Clutterbuck and J-G Pageau had it 4-2 for our guys at the end of two.

By that time the Elmonters had knocked Vitek Vanecek out of the crease. He was replaced at 13:05 of the middle period by Akira Schmid who blanked the Isles the rest of the way.

Sorokin went the route for New York facing a total of 33 shots.

Thus, the Isles streak of points in six straight games came to an end leaving them still above the .500 mark at 8-7-6.

Fixing the chronic third period defensive lapses -- not to mention unfortunate penalties -- remains a challenge to the high command; especially so with Adam Pelech out indefinitely along with Sebastian Aho. (The Isles have the NHL's worst PK.)

More attention to third period discipline is a must not to mention a style that forbids the enemy to pile it on in the third. Carolina will prove a worthy test tomorrow. The road trip ends on Saturday against the Panthers under the sheltering palms.

Standings-wise, the Isles are in fifth place in the Met Division having played 21 games. Their 22 points puts them one ahead of the Devils who have a game in hand.

Suggested Smiles: The sun came up in the East. Oh, yeah, forget last night.

"We've gotta get ready for the next one," concluded defenseman Noah Dobson.

More ready than last night!