Penalties hurt the Rangers in 4-2 loss to Islanders

2011-12 Game No. 3; Road Game No. 3	Rangers' Record: 0-1-2
VIDEO: TORTORELLA POSTGAME

GAME RECAP Associated Press John Tavares broke out with four points and his third NHL hat trick, including the winning goal and an empty-netter, in the Islanders' 4-2 victory over the Rangers at the Nassau Coliseum. Tavares scored a pair of go-ahead, power-play goals and an assist in front of a sellout crowd that traded cheers for both teams. The Rangers had a game for the first time since returning from Europe, playing for the first time in a week, and the rust showed early. The Rangers will play four games in Western Canada before their home opener at a transformed MSG on Oct. 27. Marian Gaborik and Brandon Prust both scored tying goals in the second period for the Rangers, who were outshot 34-31. The Rangers took eight penalties over the course of the game. The momentum shifted to the Rangers just over six minutes into the second period when they turned a giveaway in the neutral zone into a goal. Brad Richards fired a pass from his blue line to streaking linemate Gaborik deep in the Islanders' end. Gaborik was all alone when he took the puck on his tape and put it past Evgeni Nabokov for his second goal this season at 6:23. But the good fortune didn't last for long as the Rangers couldn't get undisciplined play out of their game.

PHOTO OF THE GAME STAT OF THE GAME The Rangers out-hit the Islanders, 28-11 and have out-hit opponents 48-24 over the past two games. THREE STARS (selected by newyorkrangers.com) 1. Gaborik 2. Richards 3. Prust

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THE BIGGER PICTURE The Rangers didn't get the points, but they got hard evidence of how well Brad Richards, Marian Gaborik, and Derek Stepan can perform together as a No. 1 line. Without the penalties, this line would have had a chance to do even more with added more ice time.

RANGERS LEADERS Icetime -- Girardi (26:50) Shots -- Gaborik (8) Hits -- Girardi (5) Blocks -- Eminger (4) Takeaways -- Richards, Girardi (3) Faceoffs -- Dubinsky (14)

NEW YORK RANGERS LINEUP AT ISLANDERS
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Derek Stepan	Brad Richards	Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky	Artem Anisimov	Ryan Callahan
Ruslan Fedotenko	Brian Boyle	Brandon Prust
Mike Rupp	Erik Christensen	Mats Zuccarello

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Ryan McDonagh	Dan Girardi
Jeff Woywitka	Steve Eminger
Michael Del Zotto	Tim Erixon
Goaltenders: Henrik Lundqvist, Martin Biron Starting Lineup: Lundqvist, McDonagh, Girardi, Dubinsky, Anisimov, Callahan.

POWER PLAY UNITS
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Ryan Callahaan	Brandon Dubinsky	Marian Gaborik
Derek Stepan	Brian Boyle	Mats Zuccarello

POINT MEN
Left Point	Right Point
Brad Richards	Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto	Tim Erixon

PENALTY KILLING UNITS
FORWARD UNITS
Forward	Forward
Ryan Callahan	Brandon Dubinsky
Prust/Stepan	Brian Boyle
Ruslan Fedotenko	Artem Anisimov

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Ryan McDonagh	Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto	Steve Eminger