Stan Fischler's Islanders vs. Caps Reaction vs. Caps The New York Islanders Wild Card run has been sidetracked in Washington. But, yes, it still can get up-stream for one more rush to Wild Card Junction, although the team no longer controls its own destiny. Despite the Capitals emphatic 5-2 victory last night at Capital One Arena the Nassaumen still are in a potential -- but fading --postseason position. No question: it's as precarious as can be, depending on Chicago beating Pittsburgh tonight. The Panthers picked up a vital point last night, losing to Toronto in overtime in Sunrise which means that Florida, a point ahead of the Isles, has one game left; Thursday at home against Carolina. With the point-behind Penguins hosting bottom-feeding Chi, a Blackhawks victory -- it would be an upset no matter how you shake it -- is the Islanders hope against hope to keep the Wild Card merry-go-round swinging. As for the Isles effort in D.C., just about everything that could go wrong went wrong. Here are the specifics: * Goaltending: Ilya Sorokin allowed two goals in the first 1:03 of the game; a shocking result to say the least. * Power Play: It has been a bugaboo all season and went oh-for-three and produced one shot. * No Rebound-ability: The score was 3-0 for the home club only 13:13 into the game. No really significant pushback was evident. * Defense: Both the usually dependable Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech played sub-par individually and collectively. They were a combined minus-6. * Big-Game Intensity: Suffice to say that under the critical circumstances, it was missing. This should have been played with an all-out playoff effort. * The Gunners: None of the top shooters delivered. Rookie Hudson Fasching and Casey Cizikas ignited the too-little-too-late red lights. * Strategy: For whatever reasons the Isles often start games behind the eight-ball, relying on Sorokin to bail them out until they find their offense. Last night's opening few minutes provided an example of that shortcoming. Explaining the defeat against a non-playoff Washington sextet was difficult for coach Lane Lambert. When asked if his club had the necessary intensity and extra effort from the drop of the puck, he replied, "Well, apparently not." READ: Islanders postgame comments from the dressing room [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/news/new-york-islanders-washington-capitals-lockeroom-reaction-lee-lambert-parise-nelson]. It was evident that the quick-strike Capitals goals at the start at least temporarily shocked the Isles and -- all things considered -- they never recovered from them.. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk3MTc1ODY1NTQzNTAwODgz/usatsi_20435863.jpg] If there was a turning point in the contest, it was Washington's Rasmus Sandin making it a 2-0 game not even minutes into the fray. "The part that really hurt us," added Lambert, "was getting into a 3-0 hole." Granted the Nassaumen tossed a fusillade of shots at goalie Darcy Kuemper, but an insufficient amount were in the "dangerous" category and when there were good chances, Kuemper made the saves. "When you put yourself down by three," said captain Anders Lee, "you have to chip away. We weren't able to get them until the end." Brock Nelson: "I don't know what caused the start." What's relevant looking ahead to tomorrow night's regular season finale against the Canadiens at UBS Arena is that the Islanders still are "in" the Wild Card Race in second place. However, the right-behind Penguins have two games in hand. Which means the Isles -- to stay ahead of. the Pens-- need Chicago to beat Pitt in regulation or overtime. At the moment there are three ways for an Islanders fan to view the situation: 1. The club got a bad game out of its system at the worst time. 2. They've just been exhausted playing so long without ace Mat Barzal. 3. There's still hope. Beat Montreal!
