Brian Gionta

Control-hungry coaches are appointing captains rather than letting players choose, with mixed results

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In the diminishing world of the playoffs--only eight teams left!--diminutive players throughout the league are wearing big smiles as they lead their teams to big wins

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...