Lafrenière hat trick leads Rangers past Islanders 5-2 for fourth straight win

Alexis Lafrenière scored a hat trick and added an assist as the New York Rangers beat the New York Islanders 5-2 on Tuesday night, Oct. 6, at Madison Square Garden. Two of his goals went into an empty net in the final two minutes. Oliver Bjorkstrand scored twice, including the power-play winner, and the Rangers won their fourth straight game to improve to 4-1-0.

How did the Rangers beat the Islanders?

The Rangers did not get a shot on goal until 6:40 of the first period, and it went in. Lafrenière beat Matthew Schaefer to a loose puck near the goal line and set up Bjorkstrand for a one-timer, his first goal with the Rangers. Lafrenière made it 2-0 just 25 seconds into the second period after a stretch pass from Mika Zibanejad.

The Islanders answered quickly. Captain Bo Horvat scored on the power play at 2:56 and Calum Ritchie tied it at 4:52. Bjorkstrand restored the lead with a power-play wrist shot from the left circle at 17:07, set up by Gabe Perreault's pass across the slot. Lafrenière then scored twice into the empty net in the last 1:38.

Igor Shesterkin made 17 saves. Coach Mike Sullivan explained that Lafrenière is used when the opponent pulls its goalie, a role that asks for defensive responsibility and that rewarded him with the two empty-net chances.

Semyon Varlamov's return after 676 days

The night was also a milestone for Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov, back in an NHL net for the first time in 676 days; his previous game was on Nov. 29, 2024. He had partial replacement surgery on both knees. Varlamov made 19 saves on 22 shots and told NHL.com he enjoyed being back and felt emotional during warmups. Islanders coach Peter DeBoer said his team had chances to take the lead at 2-2 and did not convert.

Schaefer, the reigning rookie of the year, hit the post twice and had 12 shot attempts, according to ESPN. The Islanders fall to 1-2-0.

Why this start matters for the Rangers

This is the first time since the 2009-10 season that New York has opened 3-0-0 at home, according to NHL.com. Last season the Rangers lost their first seven games at the Garden and did not get a third home win until Dec. 2. They have not allowed a first-period goal this season and have outscored opponents 7-1 in third periods during the streak.

Center Cole Beaudoin, 20, made his NHL debut and played 9:57 with three hits. He was called up from Hartford of the AHL after Joe Veleno was injured on Sunday; Beaudoin came to the Rangers in the July 1 trade that sent Vincent Trocheck to Utah.

Next games

The Rangers visit the Washington Capitals on Friday, Oct. 9. The Islanders host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, Oct. 8.