UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Sean Avery yapped from the bench, then picked himself up off the ice after being face-planted into the glass.

All in a night's work for hockey's most-hated player.

Avery returned to the NHL after a three-month exile and started a second stint with the New York Rangers, who topped the New York Islanders 4-2 Thursday.

He had his first run-in during the first period after being hit by Blake Comeau in front of the benches, but didn't push back in the skirmish. He absorbed his biggest blow when Trent Hunter smashed him face first into the glass by the penalty box.