Rangers 5 (2EN), Islanders 2: Game 1 to Short Island

The New York Rangers defeated the New York Islanders 5-2 at Madison Square Garden. Alex Lafreniere recorded a hat trick that included two empty-net goals in the third period. The Islanders had fought back from early deficits to tie the score 2-2, but Oliver Bjorkstrand scored the game-winning power-play goal late in the second period for the Rangers.

Goaltender Semyon Varlamov returned for the Islanders after missing two years due to knee surgeries. New York also suffered injuries during the contest, as Simon Holmstrom temporarily left after taking a puck to the face and Alexander Romanov exited without returning.