Suddenly, the Rangers can’t stop winning games. They won for the fourth straight time in a nationally televised game on ESPN. Alexis Lafreniere’s hat trick highlighted a Rangers 5-2 win over the Islanders at an energized Madison Square Garden.

Lafreniere completed the third hat trick of his NHL career with a pair of empty netters that helped the Rangers improve to a perfect 3-0 at MSG. A total role reversal from last year when they didn’t even score a goal in their first three home games. In fact, that team didn’t get a win on home ice until Nov. 10, 2025.

Unlike the forgettable centennial season when five of the first seven opponents shut them out, the Rangers have found a way to score 14 goals so far in their three victories at The Garden. After defeating the Mammoth this past Sunday, they again scored four or more goals to give their fans plenty of reasons to cheer.

Following an early surge from the Islanders, who got the game’s first three shots on a sharp Igor Shesterkin, the Rangers responded with a strong push. Able to forecheck effectively, some extra effort from Lafreniere created a goal. Following a Sean Durzi shoot in behind the Islanders net, Lafreniere hustled and out-muscled Matthew Schaefer on the boards to send a pass in front that Oliver Bjorkstrand buried past Semyon Varlamov for his first as a Blueshirt.

The game also marked the NHL debut for Cole Beaudoin. After putting up five points last weekend in Hartford, the 20-year-old prospect centered the fourth line. Wearing number 53, he was mostly effective during his shifts at even strength. An active player who brings size and a defensive presence, Beaudoin made some good plays on the wall for linemates Bjorkstrand and Jaroslav Chmelar. He finished the game with three hits and went 6 for 11 on faceoffs over 9:57 of ice time.

On a Rangers cycle behind the net, Beaudoin got caught setting an illegal pick to go off for interference on Tony DeAngelo. With him off for two minutes, the Rangers got the job done to kill the penalty.

With less than eight minutes remaining in the period, Brayden Schenn and J.T. Miller agreed to have a fight. After the draw, they dropped the gloves. In a brief exchange of two gritty veterans, Miller got the decision with a take down.

Following a Victor Eklund hold on Vladislav Gavrikov, the Rangers went to work on the power play. Despite not capitalizing, they moved the puck around well to generate some chances. The best came when Mika Zibanejad had Will Cuylle right in front, but he was unable to beat Varlamov.

A few minutes later, Lafreniere slashed Bo Horvat from behind to prevent a scoring chance. The Islanders went on their second power play. While on it, Schaefer had an attempt blocked by Zibanejad, who helped Shesterkin freeze the puck. The only Islanders shot on the man-advantage came from Eklund, which Shesterkin handled. Despite trailing in shots 9-5, the Rangers took a one-goal lead to the dressing room.

At the start of the second, Lafreniere doubled the lead by getting his first of the season on a nice snapshot past Varlamov only 25 seconds in. After Gavrikov got the puck to Zibanejad, he made a perfect lead pass for Lafreniere, who cut in and scored from the left circle.

But just when it looked like the Rangers had the momentum, a soft call sent Eeli Tolvanen off for hooking Logan Stanley. This time, the Islanders cashed in on the opportunity thanks to some nice work from Schenn and Matias Maccelli. After receiving the puck from Schenn along the boards, Maccelli centered for Bo Horvat, whose quick one-timer beat Shesterkin for a power-play goal that put the Islanders within one.

A couple of shifts later, some more strong work from Schenn behind the net resulted in Cal Ritchie tying the game. He trapped a wandering Pavel Dorofeyev before feeding Ritchie in front who was patient enough to tuck a forehand around Shesterkin for his first to tie it at 4:52. Dorofeyev didn’t recover in time, which left Ritchie alone for the goal.

Using the two straight goals they scored, the Islanders were more aggressive on the forecheck. On a bit too much of a gap allowed by Alberts Smits and Braden Schneider, they let Ondrej Palat slip through and nearly put the Rangers behind. Luckily, he just missed on the attempt. On another defensive lapse, DeAngelo roamed free to get a shot right on that Shesterkin stopped.

Halfway through the second, Smits made a good pinch and had his heavy shot just miss. In particular, the 18-year-old Latvian was very effective at making strong defensive plays, and going in transition throughout. He showed a lot of confidence for just his fifth NHL game. He was rewarded with 15:27 of ice time, including a 13-second power play shift. If he keeps improving, it won’t be long before he records his first point.

On one Islanders sustained forecheck, Schaefer kept getting the puck in dangerous position. But his three attempts never reached the net. Tolvanen blocked a pair and one hit his own teammate. When play was finally frozen, a scrum ensued between Casey Cizikas and Smits, who didn’t back down. While Schaefer watched, Smits went back at Cizikas, who had some remarks for Smits as they went to the box.

Following a 4 on 4, Gavrikov drew a penalty on Schenn for holding to put the Rangers on a power play. Following a couple of good saves from Varlamov on Miller and Cuylle, Gabe Perreault created Bjorkstrand’s second of the game with some superb vision. After Cuylle got the puck over for Perreault, he circled around and made a bullet pass across that Bjorkstrand buried to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead with 2:53 remaining.

The assist gives Perreault points in four straight games. Despite playing on the second power play unit, he continues to assert himself well. He’s already set up two power play goals thanks to great passes. When he isn’t doing that, he’s either scoring or creating offense on the number one line, which is clicking on all cylinders. Zibanejad and Lafreniere both had great games. Overall, the line was dangerous throughout due to their forecheck. With Lafreniere putting up four points, all three are leading the way offensively.

On another shift at even strength, Perreault had a backhand sail wide. The more you see him, the more he looks like a first line player who’ll have a big third season to earn a long extension. Unlike other young players who aren’t as skilled, he’ll be worth it. If his strong start continues, Chris Drury better not wait too long. The price will go up.

In the third, with Kartye off for holding DeAngelo, the Islanders failed to convert. To their credit, the Rangers penalty kill didn’t give up anything. Instead, they outworked the Islanders to erase their fourth power play.

On one shift, Mike Sullivan had Smits and Adam Fox together to get a glance of the future. It almost backfired when Palat was able to sneak through both and get a shot off that hit the crossbar. They left too much of an opening and almost got burned.

A bit later, Shesterkin easily handled a long Schaefer offering for a stoppage. Despite having a pile of attempts, the 2025-26 Calder winner only got two shots on goal. He also hit the goalpost. For once, he wasn’t the best defenseman on the ice. Instead, that belonged to Fox, who made subtle plays and finished a plus-3 in 23:49 of work. Partner Gavrikov had his best game so far with two helpers and a plus-3 with a team best 24:10.

The Zibanejad unit nearly doubled the lead. But Varlamov denied both Zibanejad and Perreault in close to keep the Islanders down by one. For his first game back in 676 days due to two knee replacements, he was good finishing with 19 saves on 22 shots. It’s a credit to him for being able to come all the way back.

For playing their fifth game in eight days, the Rangers proved that they were the fresher team by playing better in the third. Not only did they outshoot the Islanders 12-5, but they defended extremely well.

Eventually, Islanders head coach Pete Deboer lifted Varlamov for an extra attacker. Thanks to some dogged checking in the neutral zone, Zibanejad stopped Schaefer short of the red line to force a turnover. That led to Miller setting up a Lafreniere one-timer into a vacated net with 1:38 left.

Just over half a minute later, he got another for the hat trick. It was well deserved for Lafreniere, who’s brought a stronger mindset to the rink. His hard work is paying off so far. Sullivan is rewarding Lafreniere by trusting him late game situations.

With nothing happening except for time winding down, Adam Pelech picked a fight with Bjorkstrand, who Sullivan stuck out late for possibly another hat trick. The Islanders veteran defenseman was visibly frustrated. The move lacked class. Bjorkstrand isn’t known for fighting. It was pointless.

Perhaps it’ll be remembered the next time the teams meet, which isn’t until Dec. 20 in Long Island. Circle the date.

THREE STARS:

3rd Star Mika Zibanejad 2 assists, 3 SOG, +3 in 20:05

2nd Star Oliver Bjorkstrand 2 goals incl. PPG, +1 in 8:58

1st Star Alexis Lafreniere 3rd career hat trick, assist for 4 points, +4 in 18:54