Lafreniere’s hat trick, Bjorkstrand’s pair carry Rangers past Islanders 5-2

Alexis Lafreniere scored a hat trick and Oliver Bjorkstrand added two goals to guide the New York Rangers to a 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night. Bjorkstrand opened the scoring before breaking a 2-2 tie late in the second period, while Lafreniere sealed the game with two late empty-net goals.

Mika Zibanejad contributed two assists and goaltender Igor Shesterkin made 17 saves to help the Rangers extend their winning streak to four games. Bo Horvat and Cal Ritchie scored the Islanders' goals, while Semyon Varlamov stopped 19 shots in his return to NHL action.