The New York Islanders and New York Rangers are set to clash for the first time this season on Sunday afternoon (3 p.m. ET) at MetLife Stadium as part of the NHL's Stadium Series. As of the current odds, the Rangers are favored at -152 in this exciting matchup.

The Rangers head into the game on a high note, having won six games in a row, including five consecutive victories since the all-star break. This impressive streak has propelled them to gain ground in the race for the Metropolitan Division title. On the other hand, the Islanders are in dire need of points after suffering two consecutive losses as they strive to stay competitive in the playoff race.

A major issue for the Islanders has been a lack of scoring depth, despite standout performances from key players like Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat, Noah Dobson, and Kyle Palmieri. Under their new coach, Patrick Roy, the Islanders have seen marked improvement defensively, allowing fewer shot attempts and high-danger chances at 5-on-5 compared to their previous performances under Lane Lambert.

While the Rangers have maintained their solid play, relying on their elite skill, power play, and goaltending to secure wins, the Islanders are banking on their defensive improvements and elite goaltender to create an upset. The Rangers are recognized as the stronger team, but the Islanders' recent defensive strides under Roy have kept the betting odds relatively close for this anticipated showdown.