In order, the Devils allowed zero, three, then six goals-against in their first three games of the season. Though Martin Brodeur took the brunt of the blame in the last, when they came back to beat Toronto 7-6 Thursday, Claude Julien’s new defensive plan was another issue.

The Devils were looking to reverse that mathematical progression last night when they played host to the Flyers.

The new Devils coach wants better end-boards defensive coverage, and wants his wingers coming further back into the zone. It doesn’t sound like much, but a hockey rink is a big place, and a slight change in one area opens up space in the another.

“The main thing is that we were able to get the two points [against Toronto]. But having said that, our job is to make sure what happened in the first two periods doesn’t repeat itself,” Julien said of that amazing victory.

In addition to breaking old habits, the Devils are breaking in one full pairing of defensemen, rookie Johnny Oduya and Vladimir Malakhov acquisition Jim Fahey, and late-season pickup Brad Lukowich is still having his moments. It all means heavy ice-time for Colin White and Paul Martin, with Brian Rafalski getting top power play time, too.

“We have to find exactly where our defensive game is to be successful,” Brodeur said. “We’ve been outshot in every game so far.”

Julien chided his team for failing to follow instructions against Toronto.

“We were maybe cheating ourselves as far as our game plan was concerned,” Julien said. “We’re an up-and-down type team, and we were circling a little too much.

“[Against the Flyers], this will be one night when we have to respect our game plan. I’m not sure, against [Philly], that we’d get back into it.”

Julien did lavish special praise on Brian Gionta, whose natural hat trick (his first in the NHL) in the third period against Toronto provided the comeback that ended in a shootout victory.

“He played a big man’s game. Everyone knows about his [5-7] size, but he’s not afraid to play in front of the net,” Julien said. “He has lots of skill and lots of speed, but sometimes that’s not enough.

“What makes him great is that he plays in traffic.”

*

The Devils’ morning skate was cancelled because of water main problems at Continental Airlines Arena. . . . It took eight days for the Devils – questioned repeatedly – to admit that defenseman David Hale underwent retinal surgery Oct. 5, from being struck by a puck in practice. The Devils say he’ll be out another 2-3 weeks. Expect longer. . . . The Devils visit the Rangers tomorrow and the Penguins Wednesday.