I hit my recliner around 4pm today and almost six hours later, I woke up. I guess the body needed some rest because I never sleep like that.

from Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now,

The Detroit Red Wings’ playoff chances haven’t completely collapsed. But the roof is sagging and damage caused by the loss to the New York Islanders is extensive.

“It’s a lot of frustration right now since (the Islanders) changed the course of the game so late,” Red Wings goalie Magnus Hellberg said.

The 4-1 setback against the Islanders was Detroit’s fifth consecutive loss. Since moving into a playoff spot with a win against the New York Rangers nine days ago, the Red Wings have been outscored 24-8. They’ve given up 21 goals in their last four games.

They were leading 1-0 going into the third period, and then surrendered four Islanders goals to undermine their efforts in the first two periods.

“It was a big game for us, despite all the things going on,” Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said. “A really big game for us.”

The concept of a “four-point game” was on display in this result. Had the Red Wings won this game, they would have been three points behind the Islanders. Instead, they are now seven points behind the Islanders who currently have the top Eastern Conference wild card spot with 72 points. The Red Wings are six points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins who have the final wild-card position.

The air is leaking slowly out of the Red Wings’ playoff balloon. That 24-hour period when they held a postseason position seems like eons ago.

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