Slow Start Sinks Islanders, Fall to Rangers 4-2

After a slow start, the New York Islanders couldn't find their game against the New York Rangers, losing 4-2.

NEW YORK, NY --  After a rather slow start, the New York Islanders fell 4-1 to the New York Rangers to kick off their preseason play. 

LINES:

Anders Lee-Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Pierre Engvall-Brock Nelson-William Dufour

Arnaud Duandeau-Jackson Cates-Hudson Fasching

Ross Johnston-Kyle MacLean-Cal Clutterbuck

Isaiah George-Ryan Pulock

Sebastian Aho-Grant Hutton

Samuel Bolduc-Scott Mayfield

Semyon Varlamov

Jakub Skarek

Rapid Recap:

The Rangers capitalized early, scoring three goals in the opening 3:10 of the period to take a commanding 3-0 lead.

After prospect Isaiah George fed Pierre Engvall in the circle, in an effort to start some type of breakout, Engvall coughed up the puck to Kaapo Kakko, who beat Semyon Varlamov glove side just 15 seconds in.

A tad over a minute later, Tyler Pitlick was left all alone in the low slot, rifling one glove side at 1:17. 

Under two minutes later, Scott Mayfield fumbled the puck at his own blue line before Chris Kreider beat Varlamov on the breakaway with a backhand move at 3:10 of the first.

The Islanders put a one on the scoreboard at 11:18 of the first, as William Dufour beat Igor Shesterkin for a power-play marker. The puck bounced off the end boards, right to Dufour. Prospects Arnaud Durandeau and Matthew Maggio were credited with the assists. 

The Rangers extended their lead to 4-1 at 5:01 of the second as Blake Wheeler was left all alone at the back post for a power-play goal. 

Varlamov (18/22) was relieved by Jakub Skarek (6/6) to start third.  

At 12:30 of the third, Hudson Fasching cut to the net, finding Arnaud Durandeau at the back post. for a tap-in. Jackson Cates notched the secondary assist to make it a 4-2 game. 

The Islanders were outshot 29-18 in the loss. 

Quotes: 

Lane Lambert: “Rome wasn’t built in a day, and like I said the other day, we have work to do.”

William Dufour: "I had a couple of good chances. I used my skate, used my body today. I had a nice couple of checks, and I'm able to do that because of my skating. Couple of backchecks. I think I was pretty good on my skating."

Matthew Maggio: "It was obviously good to get out here and get the first one under the belt [...] “Obviously, there's a bitter feeling right now. I know it's exhibition, but I'm still pretty upset that we lost, and at the end of the day, I need to do more. I think it was a good start.”

Arnaud Durandeau: "It's always fun scoring goals, no matter what game, so I love scoring goals and just getting some confidence from that. Great pass by Fasching. And of course, it was just a tab in, and so it was nice, but just getting confidence and hopefully bring it in the next game, next practices, whatever's next."

Notes:

After a questionable knee by Vincent Trocheck on Matthew Maggio and a questionable hit by Rempe on Isaiah George, Ross Johnston went after both players, standing up for his young teammates.

Both George and Maggio remained in the game. 

Islanders PP Units:

PP1: Lee-Pageau-Nelson-Engvall-Aho

PP2: Durandeau-Maggio-Fasching-Pulock-Dufour (goal)

Islanders PK Units:

PK1: Pageau-Fasching-Hutton-Pulock

PK2: MacLean-Clutterbuck-Aho-Mayfield

NEXT: The Islanders host the Philadelphia Flyers at UBS Arena on Wednesday. Puck drop is slated for 7 PM ET.