 Their new rivals, the New York Islanders, who entered the NHL in 1972 after paying a huge territorial fee — some $4 million — to the Rangers, were their first-round opponent in 1975.After splitting the first two games, the Islanders defeated the more-established Rangers 11 seconds into overtime of the deciding Game 3, establishing a rivalry that continued to grow for years.After some off years in the mid-to-late 1970s, they picked up Esposito and Carol Vadnais from the Bruins for Park, Ratelle, and Joe Zanussi in 1975.