My Favorite Martin: Islander forward Matt Martin celebrates a goal in the club’s 5-3 win over the Rangers at MSG.
Getty Images/Frank Franklin II

There are always going to be nights like this. When it comes down to it, throw everything out when it comes to this rivalry. Despite two highlight reel Rick Nash goals that had them out to a 2-0 start, the Rangers were outclassed by a more determined Islanders, who scored five of the last six to win 5-3 at MSG. The better team won tonight. The Isles were hungrier and won all the battles. Even when they fell behind early, you never felt the Rangers had control. They just made too many mistakes and eventually got burned.

”Division games are huge this time of year. It’s nice to beat these guys,” Islander captain John Tavares said after recording three assists to up his point total to . ”They got those two early goals, but I think for the most part we were the better team. We did a good job … and finished off the game. Big win. Character win.”

The Isles’ best players showed up. In particular, lethal top line trio Tavares, Kyle Okposo and Thomas Vanek ran rampant throughout combining for seven points. Their imprints were all over it. A real turning point came when Kevin Poulin robbed Chris Kreider of a certain goal. Poulin had a strong night finishing with 30 saves. Several were gems that gave his team a chance. Following Kreider’s near miss, the Islanders came the other way and scored thanks to a brilliant no look backhand Tavares feed to a wide open Matt Martin. It was his first goal in 39 games. He came off the bench unchecked and buried his third past Cam Talbot.

Still leading 2-1, the Rangers connected on the power play thanks to some work in front from Kreider. A Derek Stepan wrist shot hit the goal post and caromed off Poulin right to Kreider, who stuffed home his 13th. Brad Richards added a helper. The goal was a direct result of Brian Boyle goading Martin into a silly rough. It was kind of a cheap call but our side took full advantage.

Following a good kill of Benoit Pouliot’s second minor, the Blueshirts got caught napping on the second Isles’ goal. On the first, top pair Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi were the guilty party. Not to sound like a broken record but they again were victimized when neither bothered to take immortal Islander defenseman Thomas Hickey in front. He tapped in a beautiful Okposo centering feed for his third. There was nobody even close. The Ranger coverage was abysmal the entire night. They got into the wrong style game against a dangerously talented opponent who suddenly is up to 49 points. They still trail the final wildcard by five due to Columbus defeating LA. Toronto also won. New Jersey also moved up to 53 points with their stunning blowout of St. Louis. I can’t wait to see Hasan’s recap. Especially with those same Blues next up for us on Thursday.

Continuing a theme, another blown assignment led to Colin McDonald pouncing in front for the tying goal. Talbot made a good save on a Tavares try but left a rebound which McDonald blew past his glove. On the play, it was a defensive breakdown by Mike Del Zotto and Marc Staal. Staal just stood there and Del Zotto fell down in front which allowed McDonald all day. It was indicative of the whole night. One team tried to take shortcuts while the other despite their own defensive deficiencies, were relentless.

Even an early power play in the third couldn’t stem the tide. It wasn’t for lack of chances. They had plenty but couldn’t bury one more past a steady Poulin. Nash had a couple of close calls for a hat trick. On one, he had a step on Vanek, who hustled back to break it up atoning for a turnover. Nash was also set up by Stepan down low but a sliding Poulin came across for a big leg save. Usually, when you blow so many opportunities, it comes back to bite you.

”We wanted the two points, and we put ourselves in a good position to get them,” Nash said. ”We didn’t get the job done.”

”You’re up 3-1 and you think maybe you can get through the period and play a good solid third, but we didn’t,” Richards said. ”We made some mistakes. Some nights other teams will capitalize, and some nights you get away with it. We didn’t get away with it.”

A very undisciplined bench minor that brought back ugly memories from last year was their undoing. Kreider came onto the ice too soon during a regrettable change. In fact, the Rangers had seven out. Even if you’re not a math major, that’s a failing grade. The more opportunistic team made them pay dearly with a great play that resulted in Vanek’s game-winner coming with 4:38 remaining. Frans Nielsen started it with a shot pass to Tavares, who like a lacrosse player one touched it to an open Vanek for a layup. Again, the Rangers overcommitted defensively and were completely fooled.

”The secondary guys came up big,” Jack Capuano said. ”Our top line struggled a little bit in the first, but they came around. Your best players have got to be your best players. We were fortunate with that break with the too many men, but we were able to capitalize.”

They still had plenty of chances in the final frantic minute to force overtime. For a minute and a half, they pressed the Islanders by keeping the puck in. With Talbot off for an extra attacker, they seemed to have the Islanders at their mercy. But their Long Island opponent was grittier diving all over the ice to block shots and break up passes. The Rangers weren’t fast enough in their decision making, allowing the Isles to get set. That passive approach resulted in a deserved fate. They lost because they were outhustled from start to finish. But the Islanders won because they wanted it more. A common theme that always plays out in this rivalry. Maybe next time, they’ll match their intensity. Two more cracks at it next week before January closes.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Rick Nash, NYR (2 goals-team leading 16-9 in last 9 games, Nashty)

2nd Star-Kevin Poulin, NYI (30 saves incl. 13 in busy 3rd-stole it)

1st Star-Kyle Okposo, NYI (2 assists incl. brilliant set up for Hickey, dominant effort)