If you thought the home opener was bad, you hadn’t seen nothing yet. Facing their blood rival, the Rangers turned in a pitiful performance. With the game tied up, the Islanders scored four straight goals to humiliate the Rangers 6-3 at a lifeless MSG. Considering that this is their biggest rival who improved to 3-0-0 matching the best start in franchise history, it was mind numbing.

My first game was the worst one I can remember since pre-lockout. Those were during the dark days. In dropping their third straight, the Blueshirts have allowed 17 goals including a dozen over the last two both on Garden ice. For a second consecutive game, Henrik Lundqvist allowed six goals. Only this time, he wasn’t chased serving up half a dozen on 27 shots- making it the first time in his career he’s had back-to-back games of letting in five or more.

It isn’t a goalie problem. The Rangers’ issue is much bigger. Since Dan Boyle went down, the team defense has suffered. Boyle’s loss has exposed their defensive depth. Glen Sather’s replacements Matt Hunwick and Michael Kostka are a huge downgrade from Raphael Diaz. After giving Hunwick the last two, Alain Vigneault dressed Kostka. He was hideous. Blatant turnovers led directly to consecutive Islander goals including John Tavares’ pivotal marker late in the second that swung the momentum.

Marc Staal was no better. Playing his worst game so far, he was shaky throughout. Twice, he was forced into mistakes with one pass handcuffing Kostka which resulted in Kyle Okposo burying his first only 48 seconds into the third giving the Islanders the lead for good. It wasn’t long before it turned into a comedy with Staal liable on Brock Nelson’s put away from Ryan Strome. It’s not just the D. The forwards are doing a lousy job in front. On one goal, Marty St. Louis and Anthony Duclair watched. You expect that from a 19-year old but not a vet twice his age.

Mikhail Grabovski had the good fortune of centering one off Kevin Klein which deflected past a helpless Lundqvist. His goal followed up Nelson’s 30 seconds later pretty much erasing any thoughts of a comeback. Here’s a question for Vigneault. He never uses timeouts. After Nelson made it 4-2 for three consecutive Islander goals, why not take one? There was still enough time to regroup. It’s not his style. He should’ve used one against Toronto. Instead, more lazy play led to Grabovski’s second even if it wasn’t Klein’s fault. He hasn’t done much right getting moved back to third pair with John Moore. Vigneault made a poor choice selecting Kostka to play with Staal. Isn’t it any wonder he wears Michael Del Zotto’s old number 4?

The game wasn’t all bad. Rick Nash continued his torrid start tallying twice. Unfortunately, I didn’t see the second as I had started to head for the exits with three minutes left. At least Duclair got an assist. Nash’s first of the night was just a smart play. Rather than holding onto the puck and going around the net, he fooled Jaroslav Halak with a backhand catching him off the post. It’s all working for Nash, who’s been brilliant scoring a league best six in just four games.

New captain Ryan McDonagh had a bad call go against him that halted momentum. He was nabbed for one of those preposterous “interference” minors following a clean takeout. It was a split second late and a good play. Apparently, good defense isn’t rewarded anymore in this pansy league. Instead, the blind mice gift wrapped a power play to the Islanders which they took full advantage of. Johnny Boychuk continued his unbelievable start with his right slapper sneaking past Lundqvist with traffic in front. It’s amazing how much the ex-Bruin is impacting his new team. Garth Snow should send a postcard to Boston.

Halak struggled early. He was responsible for Nash’s goal. His misread on a Ranger shoot in led to the Islanders icing the puck. On a faceoff win, Derick Brassard finished off a brilliant Chris Kreider backhand feed for his second in two games. Lee Stempniak started it by working the puck to Kreider behind the net, who quickly dished for an open Brassard the sweet finish. At the very least, it looks like Brassard has woken up. No coincidence it’s due to the hard work of Kreider and Stempniak, who continues to pile up points. He’s got four so far. Gotta give credit to Sather there. At least that signing looks good.

Following Brassard’s goal, the Rangers were playing an excellent second period. They were really dictating play. Generating quality chances, they forced Halak into some tough saves. That included a clean breakaway for rookie Kevin Hayes. But his beautiful forehand deke was denied by a sliding Halak. That was the biggest save of the game. Had Hayes converted, it’s 3-1 and who knows what happens. Halak saw a lot of rubber stopping 20 of 21 shots. That caliber of goalkeeping is why Snow got him.

The turning point came when Kostka felt forecheck pressure and coughed up the puck to Nikolai Kulemin, who quickly centered for an easy Tavares finish that made it 2-2 with 4:57 left. That was a huge goal. Even though Ryan McDonagh said afterwards he didn’t sense any panic during intermission, one team came out ready for the third. It was as poor a period as I can remember the Rangers playing. They were dreadful leaving the middle of the ice exposed. Similar to the second against the Maple Leafs, it didn’t take long for the Islanders to pounce.

Following goals from Okposo, Nelson and Grabovski in less than a five-minute span, fans started leaving. The ones who did are probably the bandwagon types who latched on following our run. I don’t want them around. They’re not real fans. Though some of the banter I heard in the third was absurd. One person started ripping Ryan Malone, who was one of our better forwards. He was active on the fourth line and effective on the power play. This is what you get sometimes from fans who’ve had a little too much to drink. Where the heck have Carl Hagelin and Mats Zuccarello been? The scoresheet says they each received over 15 minutes. Neither did much.

As if the game wasn’t over already, Nick Leddy’s slapper from Tavares increased the Islander margin to four with 9:01 remaining. More people left. We hung around. I have seen bad hockey before. I just didn’t feel like leaving. While my family left with about five minutes to go, I stayed till about three and then said my goodbyes to our section.

Right now, the Rangers are a mess. They’re not playing as a team. Until they clean it up defensively, it’s going to be a struggle. With what little Hunwick and Kostka have given them, it’s worrisome. Sure. It’s early. This team seems to always start slowly. But already the Islanders and Devils are 3-0-0 and the Pens are out quickly. The Caps had an inspired comeback before falling in a shootout to San Jose. Columbus is no pushover. You don’t want this to snowball. They can’t dig too big a hole.

For now, they’ll continue to play without Boyle and Derek Stepan. Suddenly, the departures of Tampa duo Anton Stralman and Brian Boyle are being felt. Both have fit in with their new team. They’ve moved on. Like McDonagh said in the post game, it’s up to them to figure it out together. Their next game is tomorrow against Carolina, who lost to Buffalo in a shootout. Right now, no game is easy. We’ll see how they respond.

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Rick Nash, NYR (2 more goals hiking his total to 6-Nashty)

2nd Star-John Tavares, NYI (2nd of season, assist)

1st Star-Jaroslav Halak, NYI (40 saves incl. 20/21 in big 2nd)