Bo Horvat scored the lone goal in the final minute of the second period for New York (35-33-12), which had lost nine of 11 (2-5-4), including a 4-3 shootout loss at the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, and will miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in three seasons.
"You've just got to do your job," Islanders captain Anders Lee said. "We're obviously disappointed with where we are at. You still have to love the game and enjoy it and give everything you have to the boys next to you."
Jacob Markstrom made 21 saves for the Devils (41-32-7), who lost their third straight and are 4-4-0 in their past eight games. New Jersey is third in the Metropolitan Division and will play the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference First Round.
"I really liked our start and our finish; I'd say probably 40 of the 60 minutes weren't good enough in terms of offense," Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said. "I mean, defensively, we were good, didn't give up much and Markstrom was really good. I thought we probably should have had one if we can execute a little bit better, hit the net a little more. But all in all, it was a pretty sleepy game."
New Jersey has been held without a goal for five straight periods after scoring twice in the first period of a 4-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday.
"I mean, we're trying," Devils defenseman Luke Hughes said. "I mean, it's harder than it looks, but the guys are trying. Tonight, we were probably on the perimeter too much but we're trying to get pucks through and trying to create plays and create time and space. Some nights it just doesn't go your way, and every game has its own spirit, I guess you could say, and tonight didn't go our way.
“I think we're a really good team and guys in this locker room know that. We’re gearing up for playoffs, but we just got to keep going and be ready to play these games.”
New Jersey has two games remaining in the regular season.
Horvat appeared to score 11:01 into the first period, but the play was immediately waved off before video review confirmed that he batted the puck into the net with his right glove.
Horvat gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead at 19:03 of the second period when he stole a pass by Timo Meier in the high slot and scored on a wrist shot from the left hash mark.
"It stinks playing an entire season and coming up short," Horvat said. "It's on us in the room that we didn't get the job done. These last couple of games here, they mean a lot."
