Rangers 6, Islanders 3
Marian Gaborik scored twice as the host New York Rangers improved their playoff position with a 6-3 victory Tuesday over the New York Islanders.
Defenseman Brian McCabe had a goal and assist for the Rangers (37-30-4), who won for the fourth time in five games and improved to 78 points in the Eastern Conference. Five teams behind them have at least 70.
John Tavares had a goal and two assists for the Islanders (27-33-11).
Brandon Prust opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal, followed by Erik Christensen’s power-play goal later in the first period to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead.
The Islanders tied the score with a pair of early second-period goals by Matt Moulson and P.A. Parenteau before the Rangers recaptured the lead on a goal by Ryan Callahan.
Gaborik and McCabe followed later in the period with power-play goals.
Gaborik and Tavares traded third-period goals to round out the scoring.
Islanders goaltender Al Montoya was chased after allowing five goals on 36 shots. He was replaced by Nathan Lawson, who stopped seven of eight shots.
The Islanders have allowed 27 goals in five losses to the Rangers this season.
Henrik Lundqvist made 24 saves for the Rangers.