​No one in the New York Rangers organization is happy about blowing a three-goal lead and losing to the rival Islanders 4-3 — on home ice, no less — even if it was only a preseason game. But when you take a step back and focus on the bigger picture, something much more positive stands out from the loss Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.That would be the play of top prospect Alberts Smits. Playing his first preseason game at the age of 18, Smits looked every bit the part of the much-hyped prospect entering the 2026 NHL Draft and after the Rangers selected him with the No. 5 overall pick.Smits logged 15:29 TOI, and played an extremely effective game in his own end, mostly paired with Braden Schneider at even strength. He played more than three minutes on the penalty kill, and wasn’t out there for a single goal scored by the Islanders, which is saying something since the visitors potted three power-play tallies in their comeback victory.The native of Latvia didn’t record a shot on goal, but Smits did notch a beauty of an assist with a gorgeous pass right on the tape of Taylor Raddysh’s stick for the redirect goal that made it 3-0 Rangers at 7:20 of the second period.Great vision here from the #NYR 5th overall pick, Alberts Smits pic.twitter.com/mKqBHezrMV— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) September 23, 2026“Crazy to think he’s just 18. He moves like a man out there. His stick is great, he’s killing plays at the blue line, and he had a great look to ‘Raddy’ there on that goal,” former Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Adam Fox told MSG Networks. “He doesn’t look out of place at all.”Rangers coach Mike Sullivan was equally as impressed with Smits.”One of the biggest challenges for young players is just the physical size and strength of the guys in this league. You guys can see it – he’s a man as an 18-year-old. His physical stature, he’s big and strong.”Mike Sullivan talks about Alberts Smits’ “strong game” tonight: pic.twitter.com/CCZAiPImFl— SNY Rangers (@SNYRangers) September 23, 2026There’s a reason why Smits is getting a long look in training camp, practicing with the NHL group every day and then in the lineup Tuesday with what was largely the Varsity. There are two preseason games remaining. Smits will play at least one — if not both — of them, before a decision is made as to whether he earns a spot on the opening-night roster.But if Tuesday is any indication, it sure looks like Smits is going to be a special player in this league, no matter when his actual NHL debut takes place.Key Rangers takeaways after 4-3 preseason loss to IslandersLiam Greentree — Wendell Cruz-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectPK = penalties killIn hockey parlance, PK stands for penalty kill. However, a more apt definition for the Rangers on Tuesday was PK = penalties kill — as in taking too many penalties simply finished off the Blueshirts in their collapse and loss to the Islanders.Up 3-0 after Raddysh’s goal, the Ra