This was the hope when Rangers coach David Quinn first conceived of a new top line with Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Pavel Buchnevich.

The trio hardly disappointed in their preseason debut together, combining for four points, including Panarin scoring twice (one empty-netter), during their 3-1 win over the Islanders on Tuesday night at the Garden. Panarin’s first goal of the game was a beauty, a cross-ice give-and-go with Buchnevich that was buried on a slick one-timer.

“They had a good night, for sure,” Quinn said after his team got its first win of the exhibition season following three straight losses. “Obviously the goal was a highlight-reel goal. They were buzzing pretty good.”

Of course, the coach is always going to find something to pick apart.

“Sometimes, when you put three skill players like that together, it becomes a Harlem Globetrotters hour,” Quinn said. “We’re going to have to be a little bit more aware that we have to get inside a little bit more, and more net-front presence. It doesn’t have to be a beauty contest. So we’ll work towards that.”

Panarin also scored in his preseason debut last Wednesday, before he had to leave that game with a mild groin strain. He hardly looked any worse for the wear, and certainly enjoyed playing with his new linemates.

“Every game I feel better and more confident,” Panarin said through an interpreter. “But the first games, not everything works out. But it’s a process.”

Former Ranger Derick Brassard made his first Garden appearance as a member of the Islanders, having signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal this summer after getting traded twice last season and three times since the Blueshirts shipped him to Ottawa in the deal that brought back Zibanejad in 2016.

Brassard was welcomed back when Henrik Lundqvist made three saves on him in a matter of seconds midway through the first period — the final stop being a great right-pad save that drew a smile from Brassard.

“Are you f—ing kidding me?” is what Brassard said to his old teammate, according to Lundqvist.

Lundqvist stopped all 13 shots he faced in 29:48 of ice time in his second exhibition match. He was relieved by Alexandar Georgiev, who made 16 saves and was only beaten by Jordan Eberle on the doorstep.

Brendan Lemieux made his preseason debut for the Rangers, hoping to bring the physical edge the club is short on — part of the reason they signed the restricted free agent to a one-year, $925,000 deal just before training camp. The 23-year-old got 15:19 of ice time on a line with Ryan Strome — who had a nice game at center — and Jesper Fast.

“Pretty good,” Quinn said of Lemieux’s debut. “Obviously when you start the preseason this late into it, you might get a little bit behind. But I thought he got better as the game went on.”