Kulemin scores with 9:27 left as Islanders force Game 7 with 3-1 win over Capitals

New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (29) and Ryan Strome, right, celebrate a first period goal by center John Tavares against the Washington Capitals during Game 6 during the first round of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Saturday, April 25, 2015, in New York. Strome had an assist on the goal. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) (The Associated Press)

Washington Capitals left wing Marcus Johansson, left, and center Nicklas Backstrom (19) celebrate a goal scored by John Carlson as New York Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) and defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) react during the first period in Game 6 in the first round of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs at Nassau Coliseum on Saturday, April 25, 2015, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek) (The Associated Press)

Nikolay Kulemin scored the go-ahead goal with 9:27 left and the New York Islanders beat the Washington Capitals 3-1 on Saturday to force Game 7 in the first-round playoff series.

Islanders captain John Tavares had a goal and assist, and Nick Leddy had two assists in what could still be the franchise's final game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Cal Clutterbuck then got the loud crowd on its feet to seal the win with an empty-net goal with 53 seconds remaining.

John Carlson scored for the Capitals, who will host the deciding game Monday night. The series winner advances to face the Presidents' Trophy-winning New York Rangers, who finished off the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games Friday night.

Jaroslav Halak made 38 saves — including 13 in the final period — and bounced back from a 5-1 loss in Game 5 on Thursday night.