Levels Of The Game

WHEN DEVILS winger Brian Gionta , the shortest guy in the NHL , has to scrap against Senators defenseman Zdeno Chara , the tallest, he tries to be slippery. "You can't let him hold on," says Gionta, "or you're in trouble." The hulking Chara doesn't let up on smaller skaters. "I go after them hard, no matter who I'm facing," he says. "You have to be physical."

Gionta, who says he's "been called 'midget' on the ice quite a few times," set a team record with 48 goals this season; Chara 's 16 goals tied for fifth among NHL blueliners. The ends of one NHL spectrum may soon meet--in the conference finals.

BRIAN GIONTA

Devils

5'7"; 175 lbs.

AGE: 27

SKATE SIZE: 5

NICKNAME: G.O.

POSITION: Right Wing

HOMETOWN: Greece , N.Y.