Jason Chimera (25) (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

I’m not going to write anymore puns; when it comes to the New York Islanders in the final six games of the season, it’s no joking matter – it’s a dire, grave, and desperate affair to play at least four extra games. With six games remaining, the Isles sit with as many points behind the Boston Bruins, who claim the final remaining wild card spot with 88 points. The Islanders, however, have a game in-hand on the B’s going into tonight’s matchup with the East’s last place New Jersey Devils.

Of the six remaining games, Isles face non-playoff teams four times (Devils twice, Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres once each). They will also have to face the Nashville Predators again, hoping to exact revenge from Monday’s 3-1 sleepy loss. The final game of the season finds the Ottawa Senators visiting the Barclay’s Center.

While the Hurricanes do not currently hold a playoff position, the squad still has two points up on the Islanders. The Hurricanes have quietly slipped into the wild card race, due in some part to the Islanders. Two weeks ago, the Islanders gave the ‘Canes three out of a possible four points in a home-and-home series. While the Islanders suffered an embarrassing loss Thursday night to the Philadelphia Flyers, the Hurricanes rallied late in the third period to tie the game with the Columbus Blue Jackets up at one.

In overtime, youngster defender Noah Hanifin put one home to give the ‘Canes the victory. Most of the credit for the goal, though, belongs to the outstanding skating abilities of Jeff Skinner, having deflected a shot away from his own net, protecting the puck to allow his teammates to move it out of the zone then receiving a pass at the Columbus blue line before performing a gorgeous spin-o-rama and subsequently setting up Hanifin for the game-winner. The Hurricanes have not lost in regulation in their last 13 games. Their last regulation loss was March 7 against the Colorado Avalanche. Since then, the ‘Canes have lost only four games.

While Skinner and the ‘Canes have dipsy-doodled into the playoff race, one team remains the forerunner to overthrow the Bruins for the last wild card seed: the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bolts sit just three points behind the Bruins with a game in-hand. To the Bolts’ credit, they have been playing without their star scorer and Captain, Steven Stamkos, since being injured on November 15. “Stammer” is now listed as day-to-day and could return to the lineup very soon. His return could mean a bolster for the Bolts to surpass the Bruins.

But for the Islanders, Stamkos’ return could be the final nail in the coffin this season. Johnny Boychuk returned to the lineup just in time for Travis Hamonic to injure his hand in a first period scrum with Flyers’ forward Dale Weise, who opened the floodgates for a 5-0 first period for the Broad Street Bullies. Cal Clutterbuck, Jason Chimera, and Andrew Ladd tallied one each. But the three goals were three goals short, and twenty minutes late (sorry, I know said I wouldn’t make any jokes).

And that’s the story of the Islanders this year – always behind the ball. Between starting the season on the wrong foot to late arrivals on the status sheet from key players such as Andrew Ladd. Islanders welcomed Ladd’s second-half surge, as well as Haroslav Halak’s return to the NHL. But again, it was all too late to save the team.

Are the odds stacked against the Isles? The sure are, and now more than ever. Are the Isles mathematically eliminated from playoff contention? Not yet, but time is of the essence. The playoff hunt is no longer solely in their own hands. Even if the Isles secure all remaining points, the teams ahead of them need to lose several games. Isles’ fans are certainly praying for a miracle. But as they say, “Ya Gotta BeLIeve!” Besides, what other choice is there?