"These are the games that make general managers believers. They also cause them enough horror to make them trade-deadline buyers.

In the end, the Devils' 6-4 victory over the Flyers yesterday was glorious for the six-goal lead they opened and frightening because of the four they gave back in their familiar third-period foldup.

But as they play host to the Penguins this afternoon in Newark with a chance to pull within a point of Pittsburgh, yesterday will be memorable for the $100 Million Dollar Man Ilya Kovalchuk's Gordie Howe hat trick, an indisputable stand for his captain and team."