NY Islanders erase two-goal deficit but comeback falls short in Varlamov's return

The New York Islanders found their way back from an early two-goal deficit Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. They couldn't finish the comeback.

Oliver Bjorkstrand's power-play goal late in the second period broke a 2-2 tie and proved to be the difference as the Rangers defeated the Islanders 5-2, handing New York its second loss in three games to begin the season. Alexis Lafreniere added two empty-net goals in the final minutes to turn what had been a one-goal game into a lopsided final score.

The Islanders fell behind when Bjorkstrand opened the scoring in the first period before Lafreniere made it 2-0 just 25 seconds into the second. New York responded quickly. Bo Horvat scored on the power play at 2:56, and Calum Ritchie tied the game less than two minutes later, giving the Islanders two goals in a span of 1:51.

But the momentum didn't last. Bjorkstrand scored his second of the night on a Rangers power play at 17:07, sending the Islanders into the second intermission trailing 3-2.

The Isles couldn't find another answer in the third. The Islanders struggled to generate sustained offensive pressure while attempting to tie the game, and Lafreniere's two empty-net goals completed his hat trick and secured the Rangers' fourth consecutive victory.

The night also marked Semyon Varlamov's long-awaited return to NHL action. The 38-year-old made 19 saves in his first appearance since Nov. 29, 2024, completing a comeback after undergoing partial replacements on both knees. “Considering the circumstances, I thought he was a warrior for us in there today,” head coach Pete DeBoer said. “I give him full marks for what he's gone through to come back, and this is the first step for him in a long season where he's going to play a lot of games for us.”

For the Islanders, the final score was more decisive than much of the game itself. They successfully erased an early two-goal deficit and entered the final minutes still within one.

But after showing they could fight their way back into the game, they couldn't find the goal necessary to finish the job.

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