Two things have become abundantly clear over the course of four first-round games between the Islanders and Hurricanes

The first is that the Islanders have the ability to take control at five-on-five.

The second is that controlling the game at five-on-five will be nowhere near enough to win this series.

To rip off James Carville — it’s the special teams, stupid.

Frustrating as it is, that’s reality for the Islanders after an embarrassing 5-2 loss in Game 4 to Carolina at UBS Arena on Sunday, which gave the ‘Canes a 3-1 series lead.

Now, the Islanders will be playing for their season on Tuesday night in Raleigh despite playing a series in which, over the last three games, they’ve often had Carolina on the ropes at even strength.