Islanders 3, Capitals 2: John Tavares scored the game-winning goal with 5:18 remaining in the third period as New York continued its stellar play away from home.

Michael Grabner and Josh Bailey also tallied and Evgeni Nabokov turned aside 20 shots as the Islanders improved to 9-4-1 on the road and moved two points ahead of Washington.

Mike Ribeiro and defenseman John Carlson scored second-period goals as the Capitals erased a 2-0 lead before Tavares converted from the right circle to snap their three-game winning streak with his seventh goal in 11 contests. New York also halted a three-game run by Washington on March 9.

Grabner put the Islanders on top just over five minutes into the opening period, ripping a one-timer past Braden Holtby (28 saves). Bailey doubled the lead just over 2 1/2 minutes later with his third goal in the past five games.

The Capitals pulled to within one when Ribeiro notched his 11th goal on a give-and-go with Troy Brouwer midway through the second before Carlson tied it on a one-timer from the right point just over three minutes later.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Nabokov continued his dominance against the Capitals, improving to 12-1-2 lifetime against them. ... Washington captain Alex Ovechkin assisted on Carlson's goal to extend his point streak to six games. ... Grabner's goal snapped a five-game point drought while Matt Moulson notched his 100th career assist on Tavares' game-winner.