Shaking their heads in the aftermath of a baffling defeat to a team out of contention, New York Islanders players lacked the answers to explain the inexplicable.

What captain Anders Lee called a “horrible” start led to two goals in 63 seconds and another before the end of the first period, and the Islanders couldn’t climb out of the hole they dug. The result was a 5-2 loss to the Washington Capitals on Monday night that deals a significant blow to their playoff chances, which they no longer control with one game left to play.

“That is disappointing when you’re in a spot where you win a couple and you’re in,” veteran winger Zach Parise said. “Now we need help, so hopefully we get it.”

New York trails Florida by one point in the standings after the Panthers lost in overtime to Toronto on a goal by former Islanders captain John Tavares. Pittsburgh is one point back but has two games left against the two worst teams in the NHL, today against Chicago and Thursday at Columbus, while the Panthers have one remaining.

MAPLE LEAFS 2, PANTHERS 1, OT >> John Tavares scored with 21.3 seconds remaining in overtime and Toronto won at Florida to snap the Panthers’ six-game winning streak. Auston Matthews also scored for Toronto, netting his 40th of the season.

JETS 6, SHARKS 2 >> Josh Morrissey had a goal and two assists as Winnipeg beat visiting San Jose to move closer toward securing a playoff berth. Erik Karlsson scored twice for San Jose, giving him 100 points this season. He’s the first NHL defenseman to reach that mark since the New York Rangers’ Brian Leetch in 1991-92.

WILD 4, BLACKHAWKS 2 >> Marcus Johansson scored two goals late in the third period, and short-handed Minnesota won at Chicago.

STARS 6, RED WINGS 1 >> Joe Pavelski notched his 1,000th career point with a second-period goal, Roope Hintz had a goal and three assists and Dallas thumped host Detroit.

SENATORS 3, HURRICANES 2 >> Ottawa forward Claude Giroux joined an illustrious group with a pair of goals and an assist in a win over Carolina to reach 1,000 career NHL points.

SABRES 3, RANGERS 2, SO >> Casey Mittelstadt scored the tying goal in the third period and got the deciding goal in the shootout to lead Buffalo to a win at New York.