QUEBEC -- Joe Sakic scored with 48 seconds left in the third period, to enable the Quebec Nordiques to rally from a two-goal deficit to tie the Florida Panthers, 3-3.

Mark Fitzpatrick made 37 saves for the Panthers, who maintained a two-point (79-77) lead over the New York Islanders in the battle for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Florida has four games remaining, while New York has five.

The Panthers, who dropped to 0-2-3 in their last five games, carried a 3-1 lead into the third period on goals by Andrei Lomakin, Stu Barnes and Jesse Belanger.

Valeri Kamemsky scored at 8:55 of the third to rally Quebec to within one goal, and Sakic completed the comeback with his 27th goal of the year.

Bob Bassen scored the first Nordique goal in the second period. Neither team mounted a significant threat in overtime.

Scott Mellanby had two assists for Florida and Barnes had an assist to go along with his second period goal.