UNIONDALE, N.Y. — John Tavares scored a power-play goal late in overtime to lift the New York Islanders to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night.
The goal, the ninth of the season for Tavares, came at 4:36 and was assisted by Ryan Strome and Johnny Boychuk. Washington’s Nicklas Backstrom was sent off for holding the stick at 2:38 to set up Tavares’ heroics.
The Islanders have set a franchise record by winning 16 of their first 22 games. They are 10-1-0 in their last 11 contests and 7-0 in extra time this season.
Jaroslav Halak made 25 saves for his eighth straight win. He has allowed only 10 goals in those eight wins.
Anders Lee and Travis Hamonic scored first-period goals for the Islanders, while Alex Ovechkin scored two power-play goals for the Capitals in his 700th NHL game.
New York (16-6-0) is 10-2 in November. Last season the Islanders were 4-10-1 during the month and didn’t win their 16th game until Jan. 7.
PHOTOS: Tavares OT goal gives Isles 3-2 win over Caps
The Islanders came out flying against their division rivals and outshot the Capitals 12-9 in the opening period. The Islanders held an 11-10 shots advantage in the second and a 30-27 advantage heading into overtime.
The Capitals (9-8-4) have been inconsistent under new coach Barry Trotz, the team’s fourth coach in four seasons, and fell behind early.
Lee opened the scoring at 5:11, tapping a rebound past Washington goaltender Braden Holtby for his fourth goal. Strome and Brock Nelson assisted.
Ovechkin tied the game at 1-1 at 13:46 of the first on a one-timer from the left circle for his 10th of the season. He scored again at 18:47 of the second to tie the game again after Islanders forward Anders Lee received an extra two minutes for roughing during a fight with Washington’s Tom Wilson. The goal was the 433rd for the Russian forward.
Hamonic had given New York a 2-1 lead at 17:38 of the first with a power-play goal off assists from Cal Clutterbuck and Casey Cizikas. The Islanders have 12 goals from their defense this season. They had 23 goals from the defense all of last season.
The Islanders, coming off a 1-0 home shootout win over Philadelphia on Monday, improved to 8-1 against Metropolitan Division opponents and are 10-1-0 in games decided by a single goal.
The teams complete a home-and-home series in Washington on Friday.
NOTES: Islanders defensemen Thomas Hickey and Calvin de Haan returned after one-game absences because of illness. . New York scratched reserve defensemen Matt Donovan and Brian Strait plus forward Cory Conacher. . The Capitals scratched injured defenseman Mike Green (upper body) and forwards Brooks Laich and Michael Latta.
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