The New York Islanders would need to clear the Detroit Red Wings and the Washington Capitals to make it into a playoff spot. Their biggest problem now, however, is time.

11 games remain in the Islanders season and it seems a if nothing has been working for them. The biggest enemy they seem to have is themselves. They had a disastrous loss Sunday against the New Jersey Devils losing 4-0.

Islanders Left Wing, Anders Lee could even be facing suspension after an ugly hit on Devils Nico Hischier.

The wheels were loosened at the end of a first period when the Isles failed to do anything during 3:58 of power-play time and committed three consecutive penalties in the final 2:12 of the game.

Then they came off completely in a shambolic second which saw New Jersey score three goals in the first 6:12 and Isles captain Anders Lee got himself thrown out from his ugly hit on Nico Hischier.

Chris Tierney added an empty-net goal for the Devils late in the third.

It all added up to one of the worst meltdowns the Islanders have had on home ice all season, in yet another moment where they absolutely could not afford one.

Lee’s hit could also lead to discipline from the league which would further hurt the Islanders during a crucial three-game road trip that begins on Thursday against the Panthers.

Thanks to the Capitals beating Winnipeg, the Islanders are now four points out of a playoff spot with one fewer game left than Washington.

At this point, the reality is the Islanders are going to have to find something in the next 11 games that they haven’t had all season, and it is not their ultimate potential.

And they are going to need something short of a miracle to make the NHL playoffs this year.

Islanders’ second-period meltdown leads to brutal loss against Devils (msn.com)