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.

Down two entering the third period, the Capitals beat the Islanders, 5-4 in overtime, for their ninth come-from-behind victory of the season.

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