NHL: N.Y. Rangers 4, N.Y. Islanders 2

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NEW YORK, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- J.T. Miller scored the first two goals of his career in his second NHL game Thursday, lifting the New York Rangers over the New York Islanders 4-2.

Playing in Madison Square Garden for the first time, Miller tallied just 1:29 into the game and he scored again late in the second period on the power play to give the Rangers a 3-1 lead.

Marian Gaborik and Ryan McDonagh scored the other goals for the Rangers, who handed the Islanders their third straight loss.

Prior to the game the Islanders announced they had obtained the rights to goaltender Tim Thomas from Boston. Thomas chose not to play with the Bruins this year, saying he wanted to spend time with his family in Colorado.

Henrik Lundqvist made 27 saves for the Rangers. Evgeni Nabokov took the loss while stopping 21 shots.