Stan Fischler provides his keys to the 2024 Stadium Series showdown between the New York Islanders and New York Rangers.

The New York Islanders are out of a playoff berth at the moment and gasping for wins.

The New York Rangers are in first place and well-balanced enough to win The Stanley Cup.

Now you know why the Blueshirts are heavily favored going into this afternoon's encounter at East Rutherford's MetLife Stadium.

According to The Maven's "Most Interesting Matchups," the Rangers and Isles actually are not that far from being even.  

Here's how I see it:

GOALTENDING: 

The two away-from-the-rink pals, Igor Shesterkin and Ilya Sorokin, are very close. The Ranger has the better goals-against average -- 2.78 vs. 3.04, while Ilya takes the percentage comparison from .911 to .902. Sorokin is playing well -- sometimes great -- while 

Iggie's last two wins ended a scary slump. Plus, Shesty's overall defense is significantly better than Ilya's.

Verdict: A draw.

BEST DEFENSEMAN -- NOAH DOBSON VS. ADAM FOX: 

Over 53 games, Dobber is 7-48-55 and -- get this --  Plus 20. Injuries have limited Foxy to 44 games, 8-35-43, and Plus 10.

Noah is playing at over a point a game pace while Adam is just below.

Verdict: Dobson, who is a long shot to win the Norris Trophy.

BEST SECOND DEFENSEMAN -- ALEX ROMANOV VS. JACOB TROUBA: 

Jake The Rake wins this on points after 52 games with 3-17-20 vs the same games, 5-8-13, and physical play. But Trouba is only Plus-5 while Romeo -- minus Juliet -- is a bulging plus-15.

Verdict: Draw.

LEADING SCORER -- BREADMAN PANARIN VS. MATHEW BARZAL: 

The Pumpernickel fellow is a clear winner. After 54 games, he's a whopping 31-40-71. That puts him 15 points ahead of Barzy's 52 games at 15-41-56. Yet with all his inflationary points, Panarin is only a plus 2. Matty is plus 1.

Verdict: Rye Bread.

MOST INTERESTING MATCHUP -- RANGERS GOALIATH LINE VS. THE IDENTITY 3:

The Islanders aging trio of Matt Martin, Cal Clutterbuck, and Casey Cizikas will face a trio of

Man Mountains. It starts with Matt Rempe, 6-8.5, then Alan Elstrom, a mere 6-7, and, finally, tiny Barclay Goodrow, who barely can be noticed at 6-2.

Verdict: It's experience vs. tonnage. If the Isles trio escapes mashed potato-ism, I'll take the experience.