NY islanders can't complete season sweep of Red Wings as Detroit rallies in third

The New York Islanders saw a lead disappear, and then a late comeback effort came up short Tuesday night, falling 3-2 to the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena after surrendering two power-play goals in the third period.

The Isles entered the night riding momentum, having won three straight and seven of eight, and were looking to complete a season sweep of Detroit after outscoring the Red Wings 12-2 in the first two meetings. Instead, special teams proved to be the difference.

The Islanders struck first when Emil Heineman opened the scoring at 4:27 of the first period, burying a cross-slot feed from Mathew Barzal for his 11th goal of the season. Barzal, who missed the morning skate and wasn’t confirmed in the lineup until warmups, extended his point streak to five games with the assist.

Detroit controlled long stretches of play over the first two periods, but Ilya Sorokin kept the Islanders in front with several key stops as the Red Wings struggled to turn possession into quality chances.

That changed early in the third. Axel Sandin-Pellikka tied the game just 2:03 into the period, cutting along the goal line and snapping a shot over Sorokin’s shoulder. Less than two minutes later, Alex DeBrincat put Detroit ahead on the power play, firing a wrist shot over Sorokin’s glove at 3:55.

The Islanders answered back. Scott Mayfield jumped into the play and tied the game at 11:26, with his first goal of the season setting up a tense final stretch as New York pushed to regain control.

Sorokin delivered another highlight save when he denied Dylan Larkin from point-blank range with just over four minutes remaining. But Detroit capitalized late after Mayfield was called for a tripping penalty as DeBrincat struck again on the power play at 17:43, scoring his 20th goal of the season to seal the outcome. Sorokin finished with 18 saves in the loss.

The Islanders are back home at UBS Arena on Friday night to host the Vancouver Canucks.