East Coast vs. West Coast in the Big Apple

After losing their season opener to the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins, the New York Rangers have bounced back in style, winning five straight.

The Rangers look to keep that streak going tonight when they host the Los Angeles Kings, who have also been red-hot. The Kings have won four consecutive clashes after a 6-3 defeat to Phoenix in their opener.

The Kings, who failed to reach the playoffs for the sixth season in a row, will be looking to win their fifth straight for the first time since the early months of 2006. The Rangers, meanwhile, have not won six consecutive games since 2006.

Marian Gaborik, who has notched five goals and nine points already, will lead the charge for Rangers tonight. Vinny Prospal, one of five players for New York who managed two assists on Monday, will also be key.

Los Angeles has attacking potency of its own, particularly from the trio of Anze Kopitar, Justin Williams and Ryan Smyth, who have nine goals between them.

The Kings’ Jonathan Quick has been effective between the pipes having stopped 83 of 88 shots fired against him. However, news that Erik Ersberg is scheduled to make his first start of the campaign will likely affect betting action.

New York is listed as a -156 favorite at Betfair.com; the Kings are dogs +150. The NHL odds on a tie are +340 and the total is pegged at 5 1/2 (odds on tie and total are based on regulation time, and do not include overtime).