NHL

BRODEUR FACES ISLES FOUR WINS FROM MARK

Martin Brodeur is just four wins away from breaking Patrick Roy’s record for career victories of 551, but he’s doing his best to keep that on the back burner as he and the rest of the Devils focus on other things – like today’s game against the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum.

“I’m still in the mode of getting my game where it needs to be,” Brodeur said after practice yesterday. “I feel really good, but it’s a matter of doing it more and going through adversity. I’m not happy with giving the lead back twice in Toronto, but it was a situation I hadn’t seen [since returning from injury]: a tie game where I have to make big saves.”

Brodeur is excited about getting to the wins record, but it’s not the only goal left in the season for the Devils. Whatever kind of playoff run they make will be tied to how the goalie plays in his comeback from elbow surgery.

So far, so good, but Brodeur isn’t satisfied.

“It’s just a process,” Brodeur said. “We’re having success, so it’s nice, but adversity and how I’m going to overcome it, that’s where you see where your game’s at.”

There hasn’t been much adversity since Brodeur returned to the lineup on Feb. 26 with a 4-0 shutout of Colorado. The Devils have won all four games that Brodeur has played. Their last loss came against the Islanders, with Scott Clemmensen in net.

“We’ve played better hockey since then,” coach Brent Sutter said.

“They’re a team with guys that are playing for their jobs,” Brodeur said of the Isles, who have played hard – if not particularly well – despite using an abundance of players shuttling between Long Island and their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. “When you play against young players, they always want to see how play against top teams.”

Despite their improved play and Brodeur’s performance, Sutter refused – as expected – to take anything for granted.

“It’s a time of year when you want your group to be very focused,” Sutter said. “You know in basically six weeks the second season starts and you want to finish really strong. You don’t want any bad habits creeping into your game. I learned a few things from last year that I’m not gonna allow happen this year.”

Sutter didn’t elaborate on what those lessons were, but Brodeur’s presence will make any adjustments Sutter makes that much more effective.

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Newly acquired D Niclas Havelid will start today for the Devils.

dan.martin@nypost.com