The New York Rangers fell 4-3 to the Islanders on Tuesday night, giving up a 3-0 lead in the process. The visitors went 3 of 5 on the power play as they came back to beat the Blueshirts on home ice. Both teams went with NHL heavy line-ups, and for the first 30 minutes, the Rangers looked like the better team.

There were so many new numbers, it was hard to get your bearings. No fewer than seven new players dressed, and that’s not even counting Liam Greentree who played Monday. Oh and of course, J.T. Miller had switched back to number 10.

ROOKIE IMPRESSIONS

Center prospect Cole Beaudoin returned from a minor injury for his first preseason game, scoring the Rangers first goal by driving to the net. The 20-year-old converted on an Eeli Tolvanen centering pass as he battled in front of the net. Greentree did not look out of place and even got into a fight with Scott Mayfield. The 6-2 winger didn’t exactly win, but showed his strength in holding off the veteran.

The star though was Alberts Smits. After a nervy performance in the first rookie game, the 18-year-old Latvian came out with something to prove. He was more than steady on defense, disrupting several plays throughout the game with his stick. He looked mature and poised for much of the game, strengthening his case for inclusion in the opening night roster.

Smits also picked up a nice assist on the Rangers’ third goal, waiting for Taylor Raddysh to drive down the slot before sending a pass that the veteran was able to deflect into the net.

THE NEW GUYS

A number of the new veterans got on the score sheet, including big off-season acquisition Pavel Dorofeyev. The Russian showed a quick release, scoring off of a sharp one-timer to the left of the slot. He finished the game with five shots on goal, and really showed his willingness to shoot the puck. Oliver Bjorkstrand set up the play, as he and Miller forced the turnover on the backboards.

Tolvanen assisted on Beaudoin’s goal, as did Sean Durzi. The Rangers new right-side defenseman was active throughout the night, demonstrating his puck moving abilities and scrambling on defense. He finished a +2 on the night, being on the ice for the first two Rangers goals.

His partner Marcus Pettersson looked mostly steady, particularly in his own end where he used his reach to break up opportunities for the Islanders.

SHESTERKIN LOOKED STEADY

Igor Shesterkin played the first two periods, giving up two goals on twenty shots. The first goal from former Ranger John MacLean’s son Kyle came after a cross-ice pass bounced around and ended up on MacLean’s stick on the back door. There was an element of fortune on the second goal as well, with Matthew Schaefer’s shot through traffic hitting the post and then deflecting in off of the goalie’s leg.

Veteran Spencer Martin came in for the third and ended up giving up two more power play goals, including the game winner. The tying goal came after Matias Macelli threw the puck into the crease and managed to get a deflection in off of Durzi’s skate as he backed up.

ENCOURAGING SIGNS BUT MORE WORK TO DO

At even strength the Rangers looked fine for the most part. They generated chances and didn’t give up breakaways or odd-man rushes. You would have liked to have seen more offensive push, particularly in the second half, but it was ultimately the penalty kill that let them down.

The young guys all acquitted themselves well, and Smits play in particular likely encouraging the Rangers to move him ahead of Matthew Robertson. Dylan Roobroeck continued his solid camp, as did Greentree. Both could feature as call-ups during the season.

Five penalties in a row will be something Mike Sullivan will likely talk to the team about, and there’s some work to be done on the PK as well. Bjorkstrand and Tolvanen were okay, if neither player really stood out. The Dane in particular looked like he was annoyed at the opposition, getting into a shoving match with Bo Horvat as well as clashing with the agitating rookie Kashawn Atcheson.

EXPECTING CUTS

With four players placed on waivers yesterday, it’s expected that the Rangers will trim their roster ahead of tomorrow’s third game against the Devils. They’ll finish out their preseason on Friday on the Island ahead of next Tuesday’s season opener in Boston.