"I said it after the Columbus game [a 4-1 loss Tuesday], even that game was pretty important for us, too bad we just couldn't have the same effort like we had tonight," Halak said. "I'm just happy for the two points and for the effort that we had tonight. The PK, power play and 5-on-5, I thought we did a really good job moving the puck and getting out of our zone, and getting in the right position and being on the right side of the puck. That makes a big difference for us."
The Rangers (27-26-5) are last in the Metropolitan Division. They've lost nine of their past 12 games (3-9-0) and are 6-12-0 since Jan. 3.
"The last few weeks we're just moving in the wrong direction here," Lundqvist said. "We're just not getting enough points. We're trying to work hard here and do the right things."
Bailey made it 1-0 11 seconds into the Islanders first power play when his wrist shot sailed over Lundqvist's glove for his 15th goal at 4:53 of the first period.
Eberle made it 2-0 at 15:06 of the second period when he completed a pretty passing sequence from Barzal and Leddy by beating Lundqvist top shelf for his 20th goal. Eberle, acquired by the Islanders in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers on June 22, has scored 20 or more goals in five consecutive seasons.
"It started with some work around the net," Eberle said. "We had a few chances, point-blank stuff that we could have buried. [Barzal] made a good play to [Leddy] and [Leddy] made a good play to me and I just really was the finisher. It's nice to put the puck in the net to give you some confidence and you just want to continue to do that."
Hickey increased the lead to 3-0 with his third goal when his behind-the-back centering attempt deflected off David Desharnais' skate and between Lundqvist's legs at 3:57 of the third. It was Hickey's 100th NHL point.
