Noah Laba is making it tough for the New York Rangers to keep him off the opening-night roster.
The 22-year-old center entered the Blueshirts’ game against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Monday night leading the team with four points (all assists) in three games. He scored his first goal of the preseason at 1:01 of overtime to give the Rangers a 3-2 win.
Laba took a pass from Gabe Perreault, cut in from right wing, went across the top of the crease and beat Isles backup goaltender David Rittich with a backhander, giving the Rangers (2-1-1) a win on a night when they were outshot 32-19, out-attempted 70-34 and failed to earn a power play.