Rangers rookies steal the spotlight despite preseason collapse against Islanders

Stop me if you've heard this one before... the New York Rangers had trouble winning a game at Madison Square Garden... even though they had a multi-goal lead! Yes, preseason hockey returned to MSG on Tuesday, and despite the Blueshirts scoring the first three goals of the game, they dropped their second consecutive preseason contest.

The New York Islanders scored four unanswered goals, and given that the Rangers dressed most of their expected opening night lineup, it wasn't the result Mike Sullivan and company wanted. With that being said, here's are some quick takeaways of note worth mentioning.

Rookies putting their best foot forward

Even though the lineup mostly consisted of veterans, it was the youngsters who stood out in a significant way. Cole Beaudoin has been limited due to an injury for most of training camp, but he was in the lineup on Tuesday and scored the game's opening goal.

It wasn't anything too fancy, but he was around the netmouth and in the right place at the right time, and it was good to see him get rewarded for his efforts.

At 6'2" and 209 pounds, Beaudoin has the opportunity to be a difference maker down the middle, and he's likely going to start the season as the No. 1 center of the Hartford Wolf Pack. He's coming off an 88-point season with the Barrie Colts, and given the lack of depth at center in the organization, his development is very important for the immediate future of the franchise.

Another acquired youngster of note includes Liam Greentree. Greentree was making his presence known throughout the evening, and it got to a point where things eventually boiled over and he fought Scott Mayfield.

The fight in question featured a lot of Greentree tying Mayfield up, absorbing punches, and trying to get his own licks in, but good on the youngster for getting involved and not shying away from the physicality.

Smits continues to make a push to make the roster

Alberts Smits was selected No. 5 overall in June, and making an NHL roster as a defenseman at age 18 would be quite an accomplishment. He will turn 19 in December, but he'd still be one of the youngest defenders to be a roster regular for the Rangers if he were to make the team out of camp.

Smits looked very comfortable against the Islanders, and picked up an assist on the third goal of the game. His shot on goal ended up going off Taylor Raddysh, and he was pretty sound on the defensive side of the puck as well. Smits felt comfortable too, and also spoke about the feeling about making his debut at MSG.

Mike Sullivan was very happy with what he saw, and he made a point to talk about the impact he was able to have because of the size and strength he brings to the table. Sullivan said, "One of the biggest challenges for young players is just the physical size and strength of the guys in this league. You guys can see it - he's a man as an 18-year-old. His physical stature, he's big and strong"

Dorofeyev scores "first" goal as a New York Ranger

The Rangers went out and got Dorofeyev because they wanted someone to score goals, and he picked up the first of hopefully many on Tuesday against the Islanders. Oliver Bjorkstrand found Dorofeyev in the circle just outside of the slot, and he showed off a quick release that has a potential to be a huge asset to the Rangers this season.

Shesterkin looked fine in debut, Martin not so much

Igor Shesterkin dressed for the first two periods of action to make his debut in the preseason, and he stopped 18 of the 20 shots he faced. One goal came at even strength, and the other came while the Rangers were attempting to kill a penalty. A puck took a weird bounce hitting the post and then Shesterkin before it found a way into the back of the net, and it was something that just happens.

Martin assumed the position for the third period, and he allowed two goals on just eight shots. Both goals against were on the power play, one of which was just a cheeky bank shot off Sean Durzi's skate. There was a moment late in the game in which he played the puck and it was knocked down by an Islander, and luckily enough it didn't result in a shot on goal... because chances are it would have ended up in the back of the net. I wouldn't be surprised if Martin is placed on waivers Wednesday as part of the next round of cuts as the Rangers get their roster closer to regular season ready.

Special teams was deciding factor

The Rangers had one power play, in the first period, and it looked pretty disjointed at times. That's to be expected, and it is something that may take time to get going. The penalty kill looked pretty bad as well, and it was the Rangers' lack of discipline which resulted in them being shorthanded five times.

The Islanders scored three of their four goals on the power play, and all of them were in a row. Kyle MacLean scored at even strength to make it 3-1, and then Matthew Schaefer and Matias Maccelli scored with the man advantage to swing things in the Islanders' favor.

The Rangers will likely make special teams a focus in practice on Wednesday, and they will look to regroup before returning to The Garden for another preseason tilt on Thursday, and one final matchup against the Islanders at UBS Arena on Friday.

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