Rangers in flux for home opener

GREENBURGH, N.Y. - With Madison Square Garden in the initial phases of a three-year, $850-million renovation, the Rangers open their home schedule Friday as a work-in-progress as well: There's already a new center on the No. 1 line, the defense is unsettled, and after hosting the undefeated Maple Leafs, the Rangers will play seven games in 15 days.

With a 6-3 win over the Sabres in Buffalo and a 6-4 loss to the Islanders at the Coliseum behind them, the Rangers are aiming to raise the bar after an 18-17-6 record at the Garden last season.

"It was disappointing," said Henrik Lundqvist, who made 32 saves in a 5-2 victory over the Senators in last season's MSG debut and appeared in every home game but one. "You have to have a good home record to win in this league, so I'm looking forward to it."

So is defenseman Matt Gilroy, the North Bellmore product in his second season with the Blueshirts, who was a healthy scratch the first two games. He'll replace rookie Michael Sauer on the third pairing.

Both Gilroy, who struggled at times last season, and Steve Eminger are righties, and coach John Tortorella will use Gilroy on the left. Is Gilroy better on his off side than Eminger? "I don't know," Tortorella said. "I'm not crazy about any of it, moving righties to left."

Center is another story. Captain Chris Drury returns to the lineup after breaking a finger while blocking a shot Sept. 20. He will be between Marian Gaborik and Alexander Frolov, with whom he has practiced for two days. The line's former center, Erik Christensen, pulled a muscle in his right leg Monday and didn't finish practice Thursday.

Artem Anisimov and rookie Derek Stepan will center the second and third lines and Brian Boyle will center the fourth. Todd White, 35, the center with much more NHL experience than the other three combined, will be scratched for the third consecutive game. "He understands the situation," Tortorella said. "He's never complained . . . He will wait for his chance and I think will seize it when it comes."

Notes & quotes: As was the case last season, the Rangers will be introduced Friday night as a team, not individually . . . They won both games against the Leafs at the Garden last season, 7-2 and 5-1 . . . The Leafs are 3-0 this season and will host the Rangers twice this month, Oct. 21 and Oct. 30.