Rangers 3, Islanders 2: Benoit Pouliot scored with 6:14 remaining in the third period to snap a tie as the visiting Rangers spoiled Thomas Vanek's debut with the Islanders.

Chris Kreider netted a power-play goal and defenseman Ryan McDonagh did the same for the first time in his career to forge a 2-2 tie at 4:59 of the third period. Derek Stepan notched two assists and Cam Talbot turned aside 22 shots for the Rangers, who improved to 8-0-2 in the last 10 meetings between the Metropolitan Division rivals.

Cal Clutterbuck and Peter Regin scored while Evgeni Nabokov finished with 21 saves for the the Islanders, who fell to 2-5-2 in their last nine games.

Playing in his first game since being activated from the long-term injured list, Carl Hagelin made a nifty pass along the top of the right faceoff circle to Pouliot. The Ontario native made no mistake as his wrist shot from the slot sailed past Nabokov to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead.

After a fortunate bounce helped the home team forge a 1-1 tie earlier in the second period, the Islanders pulled ahead - with an unexpected assist from Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi. Blue-liner Travis Hamonic's shot from the left circle caromed off Regin before hitting both the outstretched glove of Talbot and Girardi's chest before trickling into the net. McDonagh answered with a low blast from the point that sailed past Nabokov.

GAME NOTEBOOK: A two-time 40-goal scorer, Vanek was acquired from Buffalo on Sunday night for LW Matt Moulson and a pair of draft picks. Vanek finished with one shot on goal in 19:49 of ice time. ... The Rangers drew first blood as Kreider collected a rebound off LW Brad Richards' point shot before sweeping it past Nabokov at 12:30 of the first period. The Islanders answered 3:40 into the second after the puck bounced over Rangers D Marc Staal's stick, allowing Clutterbuck to race up the right wing before sending a shot under the crossbar. ... Islanders captain John Tavares and RW Kyle Okposo saw their respective 10- and five-game point streaks come to an end.