ALBANY — Last season Erik Christensen started 22 games as Marian Gaborik’s center including the playoffs, most among the Rangers’ pivots.
This year, however, Christensen understands that unless something goes terribly wrong, he’s not likely to get even a sniff on the first line following the Rangers’ summer signing of elite dispatcher Brad Richards.
“I think we all had the feeling that would happen, and I think it’s great for the team we have Richie, who is a great player and one of the best centers in the league, but I’ve tried not to let it affect the way I’ve approached camp,” Christensen told The Post before the Rangers’ 2-1 overtime loss to the Devils here last night in the exhibition opener for both clubs.
“I’ve come into camp with the approach that I’m definitely competing for a spot to stay on the team and for a spot in the lineup. I’m not worried about what anyone else does. I’m just focusing on myself.”
Barring unforeseen circumstances, there are 11 forwards who are locks to be on the Oct. 7 season-opening roster and Christensen is not among them. Neither is Sean Avery. (The 11 are Richards, Gaborik, Wojtek Wolski, Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Brian Boyle, Brandon Prust, Derek Stepan, Ruslan Fedotenko and Mike Rupp.)
And yesterday morning when John Tortorella was asked if it were important for Avery and Christensen to play well in last night’s contest, the coach said, “Yes. . . yes.”
Avery, who has kept his head down and his mouth shut since camp began, had an impressive, disciplined game on the wing with center John Mitchell and 2011 first-rounder J.T. Miller.
Tortorella cited Avery for his strong work forechecking on what he called, “Our most effective line as far as offensive zone pressure.”
Christensen, however, struggled playing primarily between Carl Hagelin and either Christian Thomas or Ryan Bourque. It couldn’t have helped that the ice was in terrible condition. “Erik, not much was happening there with him,” Tortorella said. “But I’m not going to get too down or too high on a guy after the first game, especially the way the ice was.”
The Rangers would like a young guy to crack the lineup, but both Avery and Christensen can be important depth players on a team whose Black-and-Blueshirt style comes with an open invitation for multiple visits to Injured Reserve, if last year is a guide.
Christensen can also play the wing, where Mats Zuccarello and Dale Weise — who scored the Rangers’ lone goal last night with 4:21 to go in regulation to send the match into overtime — loom as competition.
Christensen’s pre-eminence in the shootout could become a decisive factor in the final personnel call.
Christensen — whose contract carries a $925,000 cap hit — owns the highest success rate of all active players with at least 30 attempts in the penalty-shot competition at 53.5 percent, converting on 23 of 43 chances. He went 5-for-8 last year.
“I know the situation here,” Christensen said. “I’m in a battle to get a spot. But I can’t obsess about it or put extra pressure on myself.
“I have to be the best I can be.”
Last night wasn’t the best start.