Rather, the latest third-period implosion, which led to a 5-4 overtime loss to the Capitals, put into a starker reality that the Islanders are not merely behind the league’s typical Cup contenders, but another club that has been accused of hanging onto a core too long — and this without the injured Alex Ovechkin on the ice.

PM | CAPITAL ONE ARENA WATCH: MSGSN2 | MSG+ | ESPN+ LISTEN: 88.7FM | 103.9FM | ISLANDERS + UBS ARENA APP The New York Islanders will look to snap a two-game losing streak when take on the Washington C

Facing a tough Washington Capitals squad in D.C., the New York Islanders took another lead — a multi-goal lead — into the third period only to blow it and end with the loss. It’s what they do. The Islanders’ two-goal lead did not survive eight minutes of the third period.