Rangers break through in Brooklyn

The Rangers knew all about their long-running struggles in Brooklyn. Any win over the Islanders these days was going to be welcome.

Mats Zuccarello’s well-placed skate sent the Rangers happily back to Manhattan.

Zuccarello scored late in the third period, redirecting a shot from the point with his foot to lift the Rangers over the Islanders 2-1 on Saturday for their first-ever win at Barclays Center. Filip Chytil also scored and Alexandar Georgiev made 24 saves to help the Rangers win in Brooklyn for the first time since their intracity rivals began playing home games there in 2015.

The Islanders had been 13-2-0 in the teams’ previous 15 meetings overall.

“We didn’t talk about it before the game or anything, but I was well aware,” Marc Staal said. “It was nice to see that goal go in during the third.”

The Rangers had been 0-6-1 in their previous seven games in Brooklyn, with their only point coming on Dec. 2, 2015 in a shootout loss.

Saturday’s win was an important one for the Rangers, who had been 0-5-0 in 2019.

AP