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Rangers take down Islanders

Dec 23, 2011 - 4:28 AM New York, NY (Sports Network) - Brandon Dubinsky picked up a goal and one assist, as the New York Rangers downed the New York Islanders, 4-2, at Madison Square Garden.

Michael Del Zotto, Marian Gaborik and John Mitchell also lit the lamp for the Rangers, who have won three straight and five of seven heading into a home tilt against the Flyers on Friday.

Martin Biron earned his seventh win of the year with 24 saves.

"You feel a sense of pride just producing for the team and being part of a great tandem with Hank (Henrik Lundqvist)," Biron said about the Rangers' solid net tandem. "That's pride right there to know that I'm giving him something and he's responding the other way. It's great for this team to see that we're in the top defensively."

Heading into the Winter Classic preview against Atlantic-leading Philly, the Rangers have allowed the second-fewest goals in the East with 70. Only Boston (63) has yielded fewer.

P.A. Parenteau and Matt Moulson tallied for the Islanders, who have lost five of seven after seeing their two-game win streak end.

Evgeni Nabokov allowed three scores on 24 shots in the setback, his sixth in eight decisions this season.

The Isles cut their deficit to one goal on a power play, as Moulson shoveled home a loose puck in front at 8:29 of the third period.

But the visitors had to fend off a steady attack when Parenteau was sent off for tripping with 6:11 to go and seemed to lose some energy thereafter.

Nabokov left his net with just over 90 seconds to play, but as soon as he reached the bench, the Rangers gained control in the neutral zone and Mitchell hit the empty net moments later.

"No disrespect to the Islanders, but I know our players are looking to that Philadelphia game," said Rangers head coach John Tortorella. "I don't think we got ahead of ourselves. I don't think we were great tonight, but I don't think we got ahead of ourselves."

Dubinsky's wrister from the outer edge of the right circle beat Nabokov with 5:07 left in the first period.

Parenteau tied the game, backhanding a Mark Streit rebound from the left side at the 18-second mark of the second, but the Blueshirts regained the lead with 7:52 played as Artem Anisimov won a left-circle draw forward and left Gaborik the puck for an easy tap-in.

It was 3-1 for the hosts as Del Zotto slapped a rolling puck through Nabokov's pads with 4:35 left.

Game Notes

The Rangers have won two of three meetings with the Islanders this season and six of the last eight dating back to last December...Gaborik's score was his 20th of the year, giving him eight seasons of 20-or-more scores to his credit...Moulson's tally gave him eight for the month of December.