from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

For though it is a long and winding road from the start of an NHL season to the finish line, it is a little late for the Rangers to be building on losses, especially this one in which the club lost in regulation after holding a lead going into the third period for the first time since Nov. 29, 2013, in Boston.

It is a little late to be ticking off positives after yielding two goals within the opening 4:17 of the third; after sending one shot — count it, one — on Jaroslav Halak’s net in the final 9:46 while down by a goal, that a deflection by an otherwise MIA Derick Brassard at 18:59; after going 0-for-3 on the power play to run its oh-fer to 18 straight over the last seven matches.

It is also a little late in the day for the Rangers to make the trip home from Brooklyn feeling good about themselves after falling behind the Islanders into third place (albeit with a game in hand) while unable to build on the four-point edge they hold for the final playoff spot.

more

Below, watch the highlights of the Islanders 3-1 win over the Rangers....