Calvin de Haan battles Lightning Ondrej Palat for the puck during last night.
Getty Images/Kathy Kmonicek

Things continue to be rotten on Long Island. Their latest defeat came last night falling to the Lightning 3-2 in a shootout. It was how they lost that was the story. The Islanders led 2-0 with less than three minutes left. They were poised to for only the second time in over a month when the roof caved in.

USA Olympic hopeful Kyle Okposo scored his 11th on the power play from John Tavares and rookie Brock Nelson 11 seconds into the second period. With the Islanders shutting down a Tampa team minus Steven Stamkos, it looked like they’d prevail when Frans Nielsen converted a breakaway off a feed from Michael Grabner making it a two-goal lead with 9:39 remaining in regulation.

However, a blatant Nielsen giveaway right to Valtteri Filppula allowed the former Red Wing to beat Evgeni Nabokov cutting it to 2-1 with 2:53 left. Notorious for blowing leads, the Islanders suffered a cruel fate when Filppula was able to get to a loose puck during a wild scramble in front tying it with 3.5 seconds to go. It was a classic example of why the Isles have struggled mightily following last year’s postseason appearance. A pile of players couldn’t clear the puck allowing a more determined opponent to force overtime. The play from Martin St. Louis led to a J.T. Brown rebound which Filppula cashed for his second in 2:50. Ultimately, Filppula scored in the shootout which dealt the Islanders another crushing blow.

”It’s unbelievable, it’s frustrating, it’s disappointing,” a disappointed Tavares said after missing his shootout attempt that ended the game. ”We’re not happy with the result.

”I think you earn what you get. ”We left two guys open right in the slot, and they’re going to capitalize when they get their chances.”

Outside of Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald, the Islanders don’t have enough on the blueline. They just got Brian Strait back and Thomas Hickey gets top four minutes. The problem is without Lubomir Visnovsky, there’s not enough depth. He’s been out with a concussion since Oct. 21. Without that experience, the team continues to have break downs. Former ’09 first round pick Calvin de Haan has played nine games since his recall from Bridgeport. He’s yet to record a point but is getting valuable experience under embattled coach Jack Capuano. Capuano has been forced to play a rookie who might not be ready and rotate Matt Carkner and Aaron Ness. Matt Donovan is down in Bridgeport.

”We just don’t know how to win right now,” Nabokov said after finishing with 34 saves in a losing effort.

”It’s important how we respond in our next game after a tough loss like this,” Capuano stated after his team fell to a disappointing 9-19-7. They’re currently last in the Metropolitan Division with 25 points. Despite that, they trail third place Carolina by 10 points with over half the season left.

The trouble for the Islanders is they’re not getting any secondary scoring. Grabner’s assist yesterday was his first point in two months (10/17). After scoring twice in their season opening win over the Devils on Oct. 4, he’s without a goal over 31. Mind boggling even for a streaky scorer who had 54 his first two seasons with the Islanders. During last year’s shortened season, Grabner netted 16. Over a 20-goal pace. He was being counted on for at least that.

Josh Bailey is the other forward who has underachieved. After posting 11 goals and eight assists in 38 games last season, he’s tallied four goals and seven assists in 34 games so far. Eleven points isn’t what they’re looking for from the 24-year old who’s in his sixth year. With an assist Tuesday, it was his first point in 12 games (11/19). Bailey is without a goal since Oct. 25. Ironically, all four came in the Isles’ first 10 games. Their record was 4-3-3 including an emotional 4-3 win at Pittsburgh in which Bailey notched the winner with 1:40 left. Even if he’s not a classic scorer, he should have more by accident.

The lack of production saw the club bring up top prospect Ryan Strome. The 2011 first round pick was leading the AHL in scoring with 33 points. He’s played two games thus far registering three shots. The Islanders are hoping Strome and fellow rookie Nelson (3-6-9 in 25 GP) can give them a jolt. It doesn’t help that a supporting cast that includes Cal Clutterbuck (3 goals), Colin McDonald (2 goals) and Casey Cizikas (3-4-7 in 33 GP) haven’t contributed enough. Enforcer Matt Martin has two goals and two assists with 47 penalty minutes and a league-leading 170 hits. When veteran tough guy Eric Boulton (2-2-4 in 10 GP) has outperformed one of GM Garth Snow’s failed signings Peter Regin (1-3-4 in 31 GP), it speaks volumes.

The organization also recently assigned Pierre-Marc Bouchard to Bridgeport. In 28 games, he had four goals and five assists. Meanwhile, Brad Boyes has nine goals and five helpers for suddenly surging Florida. Apparently, 10 goals and 25 assists including 13 power play points wasn’t enough for Snow to re-sign him. Instead, he decided to give Bouchard $2 million. Boyes wound up signing late with the Panthers for $1 million. A bargain.

Snow’s offseason has to be looked at by owner Charles Wang. That is if he isn’t blinded out of loyalty. He also never addressed the club’s goaltending depth. Nabokov is signed through this season with Kevin Poulin backing up. When Nabokov was down, Anders Nilsson was recalled failing to record a win in five appearances. Meanwhile, Poulin has one less win (4) than Nabokov (5) in the same amount of games (16). That just doesn’t translate.

They can make Capuano the fall guy. But that would be misguided. It’s on Snow. Ironically, his biggest gamble Thomas Vanek for Matt Moulson and two future picks hasn’t worked out. The Isles are 5-15-4 since the trade. The issue isn’t Vanek. Though six goals in 19 games isn’t enough production. He’s 6-7-13 so far. Ironically, Moulson has identical numbers in 21 games with the Sabres. Maybe it’s one of those classic cases where you were better off not doing anything. If Snow is unable to re-sign Vanek, the deal looks terrible. He took a huge risk. Unless they turn their season around starting Friday at MSG against the Rangers, it’s an epic fail.