They are always popular goals, the ones Jay Pandolfo scores.

They’re popular because of the effort the Devil winger exerts and the effect he achieves in the often-thankless job of checking the opposition’s best right wing, usually their biggest gunner.

Popular because he does his primary job in clean and classy fashion, usually coming out on the very short end of the worse-for-wear equation.

There he was again, this collegiate scorer who should be a candidate for the Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward, making Jaromir Jagr look mortal, or even aching.

On this night when the Devils’ depleted defense needed help, Pandolfo and linemates John Madden and Jamie Langenbrunner neutralized the four-time Art Ross scoring champ, then Pandolfo put away the Devils’ 3-1 victory over the Rangers at the Garden last night with his 12th goal.

“After playing against that line all night, it was nice to score on them,” Pandolfo said after connecting with 1:30 left to seal victory and end any suspense.

“Actually, the five of us [with Paul Martin and Scott Niedermayer] did a pretty good job against them. They didn’t have that many chances.”

“It was simple road hockey, not too many mistakes, and that’s what you have to do when you’ve got so many guys out on defense.”

Although the Rangers were not the biggest test in the league, the Devils were missing three-fourths of their top four on defense. Scott Stevens remains idle with post-concussion syndrome, Brian Rafalski is out after aggravating the bruise behind his right knee, and last night, Colin White joined the absentees on D with a stiff neck.

“It’s funny, sometimes when you’re short-handed on defense, you play a simpler game, don’t try to do too much and it works out,” Pandolfo said.

The Rangers were pressing to tie the game in the final two minutes, Jagr making his biggest moves of the night, when Pandolfo interlaced himself in Jagr’s jersey. That threat evaporated, and suddenly Pandolfo was racing up the right wing.

“I tried passing the puck to John [Madden], and it came right back to me [off a skate],” Pandolfo said. “Lucky goal.”

Lucky . . . and popular.

* GM Lou Lamoriello said that Stevens has not yet begun skating. . . . Viktor Kozlov made his Devil debut and pronounced himself fine after missing a month with concussion. He drew a penalty from Tom Poti in second and played 15:14 with two shots. He went 5-4 on faceoffs. . . . .

Jan Hrdina scored his first goal as a Devil. . . . Martin Brodeur notched his 399th career victory. . . .

Devils host Penguins tomorrow. . . . Scott Gomez’s seven-game point streak matches Patrik Elias’ longest of New Jersey’s season.