This was barreling toward a blowout victory, the Islanders getting to the net and humming on all cylinders, making a statement with a win over the reigning champions. And then reality crashed in on the Islanders like all the empty seats at UBS Arena in the form of six unanswered goals and a 6-3 loss to the Panthers — a reminder of the gulf between these two teams and the standard for which the Islanders are still reaching.

Prior to the game, the Islanders (3-3-2) recalled forwards Pierre Engvall and Hudson Fasching from their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport and signed long-time fourth-liner Matt Martin.