Tavares scores in OT to complete Islanders rally against Red Wings

DETROIT -- John Tavares scored at 3:16 of overtime, and the New York Islanders rallied to defeat the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday.
Tavares, who will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, skated into the zone and got around Red Wings forward Anthony Mantha before beating Jared Coreau short side with a wrist shot.

WATCH: [All Islanders vs. Red Wings highlights]
"It is great to finish the season with a win, and it is an even better feeling to score the winner in a game like that," Tavares said.
Ryan Pulock tied it 3-3 at 19:30 of the third period, scoring on a one-timer off a cross-ice pass from Mathew Barzal on a 6-on-4.
"I knew that if I could find an opening, Mathew would get me the puck," Pulock said.
Barzal's assist was his second of the night and 63rd of the season, tying Bryan Trottier for the Islanders rookie record.
"It's an honor to be on any list with Bryan Trottier, but my teammates deserve a lot of the credit for that," Barzal said. "I can't get assists if they don't score goals."
Anders Lee and Andrew Ladd scored, and Thomas Greiss made 36 saves for New York (35-37-10), which ended its season on a three-game winning streak.

"We had a tough stretch where we fell out of the playoff race, but give these guys a lot of credit for the professionalism to finish with these three wins," Islanders coach Doug Weight said. "That's something positive to take into the summer."
Henrik Zetterberg had a goal and an assist, Justin Abdelkader and Dylan Larkin scored, and Coreau made 36 saves for Detroit (30-39-13), which lost its final three games (0-1-2).
"This wasn't the season we wanted in terms of results, but we have to put that behind us now," Zetterberg said. "When we play the way we want to play, we're a good team, but our inconsistency hurts us. That's something we have to fix next season."
Zetterberg gave the Red Wings a 1-0 lead at 11:13 of the first period when his centering pass went off the stick of Tavares past Greiss.
Ladd tied it 1-1 at 3:51 of the second period, scoring from the right circle off a pass from Cal Clutterbuck.
Abdelkader gave the Red Wings a 2-1 lead with a power-play goal at 11:58. The goal was the 100th of his NHL career.

"I think it is fitting that my 100th goal went in off my skate and not my stick," Abdelkader said.
Larkin extended the lead to 3-1 at 4:10 of the third period, tipping in a loose puck over Greiss' shoulder for his 16th goal. Larkin had nine points (four goals, five assists) in a six-game scoring streak.
"We've had some players who are important to the future of this team that have taken big steps forward this season, and Dylan Larkin is at the top of that list," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. "That's a positive we can take out of this season."
Lee cut it to 3-2 at 6:25, scoring with a backhand that deflected in off Coreau's shoulder for his 40th of the season.
"It's crazy to realize I got to 40 this year," Lee said. "I wouldn't say doubt was creeping in, but I was getting to the final shifts of the season."
Greiss saved Mantha's breakaway attempt at 1:23 of overtime.

Goal of the game

Tavares' goal at 3:16 of overtime.

Save of the game

Greiss' save on Mantha at 1:23 of overtime.

Highlight of the game

Pulock's goal at 19:30 of the third period.

They said it

"Forty is a huge number in the modern NHL, and I'm thrilled that Anders was able to get there. His tongue was hanging out of his head from all the shifts we were giving him late in the game, but he made exactly the kind of play he's made for us all year." -- Islanders coach Doug Weight on Anders Lee
"We have to get better. Tonight was another one-goal game where we let a lead get away and came up short. We've got some time now to reflect on the season, talk to each other and talk to management, but my hope is that I'll be getting the points next season where we can hold those one-goal leads." - Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin

Need to know

Barzal is the second Islanders rookie to lead the team in assists (Denis Potvin, 1973-74). … The Red Wings finished 3-12 in games decided in overtime. … Larkin, 21, became the youngest player to lead Detroit in scoring since Steve Yzerman, who was 18 in 1983-84.

What's next

Islanders: Season over
Red Wings: Season over