NHL

Devils growing with youngsters

With injury comes opportunity, and lately that opportunity has been seized by the Devils’ youngsters.

On the frontline, the Devils are still without stalwarts Dainius Zubrus, out since Nov. 21 with a fractured right patella, and David Clarkson, out since Nov. 28 with a fractured right leg. They also have missed significant time from Jay Pandolfo, Patrik Elias and Rob Niedermayer. The result has been more ice time for Niclas Bergfors, 22, Rod Pelley, 25, and recent call-up, 21-year-old Russian Vladimir Zharkov.

And, if the young guys’ solid performances can be justified by any mark, it is the fact that the Devils are 7-2-0 since Zubrus went down, and are winners of the previous four in a row heading into tonight’s matchup with the Panthers in Newark.

Believe it or not, head coach Jacques Lemaire knew it from Day 1 of camp.

“One of the first things I said to [GM] Lou [Lamoriello], I said you have good kids in the organization,” Lemaire said yesterday after an optional practice in Newark where eight skaters plus backup goalie Yann Danis showed. “Where would we be if it weren’t for the kids? In trouble. In deep trouble.”

Instead, the Devils are second in the Eastern Conference with 43 points, only one point behind the Capitals, who have played two more games. Their 21 wins lead the NHL, and it is a testament to the depth and resolve of a team that has had to overcome a flourish of injuries that has not only attacked the forwards but has affected the defensemen, as well.

The Devils are still without Paul Martin, who broke his left arm on Oct. 26, and only recently got back Johnny Oduya, who missed 15 games with a lower body injury. Most recently, Mike Mottau missed Wednesday’s 4-2 win over Carolina with an illness.

Filling that void on the backine have been Matthew Corrente, 21, and Mark Fraser, 23.

“The two [young] defensemen, they play an aggressive game, which helps them big time,” Lemaire said. “They could be better with the puck, but their aggressiveness helps them be able to play.”

bcyrgalis@nypost.com