NHL

DEVILS PREVIEW?

Heading to Newark, the Devils have to hope they’re not heading south in the standings too.

They don’t look like much of an attraction, but that hasn’t meant failure in the past. New coach Brent Sutter will have his hands full wringing out enough points to make the playoffs for the 11th straight season, never mind a third straight Atlantic Division title.

Once more, the Devils require Martin Brodeur to be their trump card and overcome their shortcomings elsewhere. When he appears mortal, so do the Devils. The defense is rebuilt, the forwards are being rearranged, and Sutter’s theories need proving.

They open the season with nine straight on the road before moving into Newark, and that road trip could launch a great season, or dig them a massive hole.

Here’s a look at Lou Lamoriello’s 20th anniversary team.

FORWARDS

Sutter is preaching a four-line system without matching, an invitation for division foes to double-shift their superstars, and whether he has suitable personnel is in question. Dainius Zubrus has the major task of replacing Scott Gomez, while Patrik Elias must regain his form after an average season. They need Brian Gionta to fill the net again, Zach Parise to continue his rise to stardom and Travis Zajac to become more of a force.

DEFENSE

They’re betting on Vitaly Vishnevski and Karel Rachunek, and Vishnevski is already looking like a find. Colin White is probably out for a while with his eye injury, depriving them of his physical presence in his zone. Paul Martin logged ice-time aplenty last season but must provide more imprint with those minutes, while rookie Andy Greene is the active playmaker they need. Richard Matvichuk’s desire and doggedness are his strong points as he tries to re-establish himself after playing 10 games all season. Johnny Oduya fell out of favor late last season, and they need his agility.

GOALTENDING

If Sutter can resist the temptation to burn out him out, Brodeur will be their salvation, even at 34. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner set the NHL record with 48 victories last season, and although he’s been mortal in the playoffs, he remains their backbone and best hope. Kevin Weekes’ track record shows the ability to win games himself when Brodeur rests.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Losing Gomez and Brian Rafalski means the absence of their two major power playmakers. They have the tippers and finishers in Gionta and Parise, but puck delivery will be the question. Martin, Greene and Rachunek will likely split the point time, and Sutter will experiment for production. Penalty-killing is already being changed by the split of John Madden and Jay Pandolfo.

COACHING

Sutter is ignoring the fact that he’s the fourth coach for the last four training camps, the previous two replaced by Lamoriello during the season. Sutter seems a straightforward, rational man of the Al Arbour school, who isn’t afraid to put a few Cup-winners’ noses out of joint. He’s working them hard, risking muscle pulls, to give them a conditioning edge for third periods. He’ll make a few mistakes, both strategically and personally, and how he handles them will go far in determining how he fares with this bunch.

COMINGS and GOINGS

Out is Lamoriello behind the bench, having made no difference after firing Claude Julien three games before the playoffs. Gone are Gomez, Rafalski, forwards Jim Dowd and Erik Rasmussen, defenseman Brad Lukowich and backup goalie Scott Clemmensen. In are Sutter from junior hockey, Vishnevski, Rachunek, center Zubrus, winger Arron Asham, backup Weekes and, from the system, defenseman Mike Mottau and forwards Rod Pelley, Nicklas Bergfors and David Clarkson.

PREDICTION

Just not enough “A” players to contend. Every game will be a battle, and they’ll struggle to make the playoffs. Losing Jamie Langenbrunner and White are major blows. Third in the Atlantic, eighth in the East.

mark.everson@nypost.com ?