TORONTO — The calendar says there’s still time. The standings say the Islanders have a chance. But though they have 29 more games to eke their way into the playoffs, Wednesday night proved that it might be getting late very early for this Islanders team.
The Islanders gave up five goals a day after they gave up four, and struggled to put together any semblance of a threat in a frustrating, at times embarrassing, 5-0 loss to the Maple Leafs.
The Leafs dominated on defense, clogging up shooting lanes and incapacitating the Isles’ first two lines.
It doesn’t make it any better that Toronto has been floated as a possible landing spot for John Tavares, should he decide not to sign a contract extension, and the Leafs — fast, disciplined and suddenly a more formidable team than a recent slump would indicate — sure looked like a lot of fun to play for.