If you want to be negative following the Rangers blowing a three-goal lead in a 4-3 preseason loss to the Islanders at Madison Square Garden, you sure could be.

After building a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Cole Beaudoin, Pavel Dorofeyev, and Taylor Raddysh, the Rangers shot themselves in the foot by taking five straight penalties. The Islanders took full advantage by capitalizing with three power-play goals to come from behind and earn the victory.

Instead of going overboard on the Rangers’ loss of discipline in a meaningless exhibition match, the biggest takeaway was how poised 2026 first round pick Alberts Smits looked in his MSG debut. Sporting number 63 in the home Blueshirts, he was impressive for a teenager while handling third pair duties with Braden Schneider.

The 18-year-old looked the part by making smart reads in the defensive zone without any glaring mistakes in 15:29 of ice time. As expected, his skating was smooth and so were his instincts. Following Oliver Bjorkstrand setting up a Dorofeyev rip from the slot for a power-play goal, Smits took a Schneider feed and made a perfect shot pass for a Raddysh tip-in past Ilya Sorokin to make it 3-0. It was a terrific read, which led to the goal.

In a game that mirrored the rivalry due to some edgy play causing some scrums, Smits handled himself well. There was a lot to like about his game. Something head coach Mike Sullivan alluded to afterward.

“I thought he played well. One of the biggest challenges for young players is just the physical size and strength of the guys in this league, and I mean you guys can see it, he’s a man as an 18-year-old. His physical stature. He’s big and strong. He has the ability to battle on pucks. He’s big enough and strong enough to compete in this league, that’s one challenge I think he’s already met…I thought his gaps were really good.”

If Smits has one more strong game, there’s little doubt that he’ll make the roster in his first training camp. With Matthew Robertson the likely seventh defenseman, it looks like Smits could make his NHL debut in six days when the Rangers visit Boston on Sept. 29. We’ll see if he’s back in the lineup on Thursday for the Devils.

Another bright spot was Beaudoin. Acquired with Sean Durzi from the Mammoth for Vincent Trocheck in the off-season, the 20-year-old center was noticeable during most of his shifts while playing with Liam Greentree and Eeli Tolvanen. Beaudoin scored the first goal by going to the net and digging out a Tolvanen rebound on a delayed penalty. It was the kind of effort that he’s known for. Later in the game, he also got involved during a scrum. In 14:02, Beaudoin had a goal and went 5-for-12 on faceoffs. He should be fun to keep track of in Hartford.

Speaking of the third line, Tolvanen’s hard work drew the penalty that led directly to Beaudoin’s tally. Signed late in the summer, it looks like Tolvanen should be a key contributor.

A night after he picked up a primary assist on a goal, Greentree didn’t back down from Scott Mayfield when he challenged him with less than six minutes left in the second period. Mayfield didn’t like a hard check Greentree delivered and gave him a shove. Greentree responded with a crosscheck, which resulted in the two squaring off. Even though he gave up size and 13 years of experience against the Islanders veteran, the younger Greentree held his own in the scrap. A skilled player with high character that the Rangers acquired from the Kings for Artemi Panarin, it won’t be the last time we hear from him.

The Islanders used a late power-play goal from Matthew Schaefer in the second period to finish off the comeback in the third period. Mattias Maccelli scored a pair on the man-advantage. That included a fortunate bounce when his centering pass banked in off the skate of Durzi to tie the score. He later benefited from a Schaefer shot that journeyman Spencer Martin mishandled, allowing Maccelli to steer home the rebound.

Needless to say, the Rangers didn’t get the job done on the penalty kill. That’s an area they’ll want to clean up before the start of the season. Neither Noah Laba nor Tye Kartye played. Both are key players on the penalty kill.

Before Maccelli put the Isles ahead, Gabe Perreault hit Alexis Lafreniere with a stretch pass to send him in on a breakaway. However, Semyon Varlamov stayed right with Lafreniere on his forehand deke to deny the bid. It was Varlamov’s first appearance since having two knee replacement surgeries. He made 10 saves in relief of Sorokin.

If there was a turning point, it happened in the second due to the barrage of penalties. The Rangers lost the momentum by having to continue to play shorthanded. When they returned to even strength, they didn’t establish anything.

The Islanders were more aggressive, turning it into their grinding style. They took liberties with players. On one instance, they outnumbered the Rangers while Schneider stood back and watched with Smits. Schneider is supposed to jump in to even it up. He was called out by Dave Maloney on MSG Network. That can’t happen during the season.

With camp wrapping up soon, the Rangers have two preseason games remaining. They’ll host the Devils tomorrow night and visit the Islanders on Friday.