NHL

JANSSEN BANNED 3 GAMES

Cam Janssen has been suspended three games by the NHL for his hit on Toronto’s Tomas Kaberle during Friday night’s game at the Meadowlands.

Janssen checked Kaberle 2-3 seconds after Kaberle released a long, cross-ice pass in his own zone. Janssen’s hit sent Kaberle flying, headfirst, into the base of the boards, leaving him motionless on the ice for several minutes. No penalty was called on the play.

Kaberle, wearing a neck brace, was taken off on a stretcher and brought to Hackensack Medical Center for observation. It was unknown how much time he will miss.

The Maple Leafs rallied from 2-0 down in the third period to win, 4-3, in a shootout.

The first game Janssen would miss is tonight at home against Boston.

Winners in 23 of the 34 games they have played since Dec. 17, the Devils have surged up the standings and created a 7-10 point cushion between themselves and the rest of the Eastern Conference. The Devils (87 points) and Sabres (93) currently stand alone as the two truly elite teams in the East.

Whether or not the Devils win tonight against the Bruins, the Devs’ place in the standings is relatively safe – for now. But March has a funny way of affecting some hockey teams, and the fact the Devils will play just three more home games this month (excluding tonight) puts them in a situation that would seem undesirable.

But a closer look reveals the Devils have lost twice on the road (once in regulation) since Dec. 23, dropping back-to-back games to the Panthers and Thrashers at the end of January. In fact, the team that is 22-7-5 at home this season has posted a more impressive 9-1-1 road record in 2007.

The Devils will attempt to ride the outstanding play of Martin Brodeur, trying again for his 40th win of the season tonight, through this stretch and right into the playoffs.

pat.reichart@nypost.com