Lafreniere's Hat Trick Seals Rangers' Fourth Straight Win
Alexis Lafreniere scored three goals and added an assist as the New York Rangers beat the New York Islanders 5-2 on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. The win was the Rangers' fourth in a row, improving their record to 4-1-0. They are 3-0-0 at home to start a season for the first time since 2009-10, a stark contrast to last season when they dropped their first seven home games and did not earn their third home win until December 2.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5]
Oliver Bjorkstrand scored his first two goals as a Ranger, including the game-winner on a power play late in the second period. Mika Zibanejad and Vladislav Gavrikov each contributed two assists, and Igor Shesterkin stopped 17 shots. The Rangers have not allowed a first-period goal this season and have outscored opponents 7-1 in the third period during their winning streak.[S1]
Lafreniere's second goal of the night came into an empty net at 18:22 of the third period, making it 4-2, and he added another empty-netter at 18:54 for the 5-2 final. Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said using Lafreniere in 5-on-6 situations is both a responsibility and a privilege, and that the team is challenging him to bring a defensive conscience in those moments, which led to the empty-net rewards.[S1]
Bjorkstrand's Power-Play Goal Proves Decisive
Bjorkstrand opened the scoring at 6:40 of the first period after Lafreniere won the puck from Matthew Schaefer along the end boards with a strong forecheck. Lafreniere moved it into the right face-off circle, and Bjorkstrand scored on the Rangers' first shot of the game, a one-timer over Varlamov's left shoulder. Lafreniere then made it 2-0 just 25 seconds into the second period, taking a stretch pass from Zibanejad, who was on his knees in the defensive zone, and scoring from the left circle with a far-side shot.[S1]
The Islanders tied it in the second period. Bo Horvat scored a power-play goal at 2:56, beating Shesterkin with a one-timer from the left circle off a pass from Matias Maccelli. Calum Ritchie then tied it 2-2 at 4:52. But Bjorkstrand's power-play goal at 17:07 of the second, a short-side wrist shot from the left face-off circle, restored the Rangers' lead at 3-2. Gabe Perreault retrieved the puck after Varlamov stopped a tip attempt from Will Cuylle in front, then whipped a pass across the slot to set up Bjorkstrand.[S1]
Varlamov Returns After 676 Days; Notes
Semyon Varlamov made 19 saves for the Islanders in his first NHL game since November 29, 2024, a span of 676 days. The goalie returned after having each of his knees partially replaced. Brayden Schenn had two assists for New York. Islanders coach Peter DeBoer said his team had chances to take the lead when the score was 2-2 but failed to capitalize, and that playing from behind in the NHL is not easy.[S1]
In notes, Rangers center Cole Beaudoin played 9:57 and was plus-1 with three hits in his NHL debut. The 20-year-old was recalled from Hartford of the American Hockey League on Tuesday to replace Joe Veleno, who is out with a lower-body injury. For the first time in the Rangers-Islanders rivalry, both teams had a teenage defenseman in their lineup. Rangers defenseman Alberts Smits (18 years, 308 days) is the youngest defenseman in the NHL, and Schaefer (19 years, 31 days) is the second youngest.[S1]
