It was clear Rangers coach Alain Vigneault doesn’t have a ton of confidence in Ryan Malone, but Malone put together a commendable performance in his Blueshirts debut on Tuesday night.

Although most of his team played regrettably in the 6-3 loss to the Islanders at the Garden, Malone brought some physicality to the fourth line and was a net-front presence on the power play. He finished with two shots on net and five hits over 11:39, even turning a cold cheek to a couple of invitations for shenanigans from the Islanders’ instigator, Matt Martin.

“Listen, I’m grateful for the opportunity the Rangers have given me, and I’m grateful to still be here given the depth in the organization,” Malone said following the morning skate. “So I certainly have no complaint.

“But when you’re used to be being in the lineup your whole career and then you’re not, it’s a challenge to handle it the right way. I guess I’ve been taking it out on the weights in the weight room.”

Malone, 34, signed a one-year, two-way deal worth $700,000 in the NHL and $100,000 in the AHL after his most recent contract was bought out by the Lightning following an arrest for DUI and cocaine possession. He doesn’t exactly fit the mold of a Vigneault player — fast and skilled — but he surely tried to make a case for his worth on this night.

“We’re trying to put the pieces together to have the most success possible,” Vigneault said before the game, scratching J.T. Miller to make room for Malone. “Right now, we’re not 100 percent sure.”

Defenseman Mike Kostka also made his Rangers debut and was dreadful in 15:42. Kostka came into the lineup replacing Matt Hunwick, and committed an awful turnover to Nikolay Kulemin late in the second period that resulted in John Tavares’ game-tying goal. Kostka then opened the third with another giveaway, this one to Kyle Okposo, who gave the Islanders a 3-2 lead.

“It’s a game of mistakes,” said Vigneault, still reeling from the loss of top-four defenseman Dan Boyle, out four-to-six weeks with a broken hand. “You have to give them an opportunity to play through them and contribute, find a way to bounce back. In that game, it didn’t go the way Mike anticipated.”

Vigneault said before the game Hunwick didn’t come out because he was playing poorly, “just that some guys are getting the benefit of the doubt right now. Hopefully they’ll get their game together.”

That was a not-so-veiled shot directed partially at John Moore, who struggled again.

Forward Mats Zuccarello returned to the lineup after missing Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury. He replaced Jesper Fast.