RANGERS, HANLON HOLD OFF DEVILS, 4-3

For his debut last night as the Rangers' newest goaltender, Glen Hanlon put on the predominantly blue socks with red and white trim that the Rangers wear for road games. ''One of the trainers looked at me and said, 'I don't know if you noticed, but we're playing at home tonight,' but I just pulled on my pads and hurried out on the ice,'' said Hanlon.

He and his new teammates (the Rangers acquired him Tuesday in a trade with St. Louis) earned a 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils. It was the Rangers' sixth straight game without a loss (5-0-1). With a home-ice record of 17-6-1, they have more home victories than any team in the National Hockey League.

Hanlon wasn't wearing the wrong socks by mistake. ''I've always worn road socks. I like them better. I've just never liked looking down at white legs, for some reason,'' he explained.

The 25-year-old redhead also wore a road helmet because he's worn the same helmet and mask since he played for Vancouver, which was two teams ago. It is not unusual for goaltenders to keep the same masks through numerous repairs and paint jobs.

Hanlon faced only 22 shots, but he made several good saves and gave up only one questionable goal. ''The guys played fantastic in front of me,'' said Hanlon. ''It was one of the best defensive efforts I've played behind in my six years of pro hockey.''

The Devils fell behind, 3-1, early in the second period, when Mikko Leinonen scored two goals 58 seconds apart but did not let that slow them down. On a power-play goal by Jeff Larmer - the one that Hanlon perhaps should have stopped - and a goal that deflected in off Rick Meagher's skate, they rallied to tie the score at 3-3.