The Islanders' Mathew Barzal, left, celebrates his first-period goal against the Rangers with Ryan Pulock at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. Credit: AP/Bruce Bennett
Not all games are going to go as smoothly as the Islanders’ season opener.
But if the Islanders are to follow through on their own high expectations, Thursday night’s 4-0 win over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden provided a blueprint of what must go right.
The leaders led, those counted on to score scored, special teams made a difference and goalie Semyon Varlamov displayed a calm, midseason form in making 24 saves.