NEW YORK -- Chris Kreider broke a tie midway through the third period to help the New York Rangers to a 5-3 win against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.
Michael Grabner, Mats Zuccarello, Brandon Pirri and J.T. Miller scored and Henrik Lundqvist made 25 saves for the Rangers, who escaped with a win after blowing a two-goal lead earlier in the third period of the season opener for each team. The Rangers were 0-3-1 against the Islanders last season.
"Just for the team, it was a really good effort," Kreider said. "A couple of lapses in terms of our rush coverage, but you see some of the things that we struggled with last year that we're really honed in and focusing on right from the get-go, which is a great sign. You see us playing fast again.
Rangers withstand rally from Islanders
Score three goals in third period for win against rival in season opener
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