"There is no one saying that the Islanders don't have an abundance of problems, but there's just something about the way they find a way to lose important games that makes it seem like any upward mobility in the standings is more pipe dream than possibility.

Last night at the Coliseum was a prime example, as the Islanders went toe-to-toe with the Canadiens, but because of a confluence of mistakes, misfortune and missed opportunities came away empty-handed, losing 4-2.

"These are points that you can't let slip away," said coach Jack Capuano. "To make a push for the playoffs, you have to win your home games. The last few here, we've played decent but not good enough to win. That's the disappointing thing to me.""