"Red-hot Ilya Kovalchuk says the results are the message.

The Devils did their talking this week by beating the Rangers, Flyers and Penguins, the three Atlantic Division foes above them.

"We sent a little message to all the league that we're right there," Kovalchuk said after he recorded his third straight three-point game in the Devils' 5-2 triumph over the Penguins yesterday at Prudential Center, their fourth straight victory since the All-Star break.

The day after marking the second anniversary of his trade to the Devils with a Gordie Howe Hat Trick against the Flyers, Kovalchuk kept his hot streak going with a goal and two assists to help subdue Pittsburgh."