The villain: when the postseason pressure is on, Claude Lemieux enjoys the role of agitator.

You spit the name more than you say it. Claude Lemieux.

Lemieux is a pest. He is rough and tough. Some say he's dirty. All are reasons for entry on The Enemies List. But as much as he drives opposing fans nuts, as much as he contradicts all that is good and right and decent in the world, as often as he steals candy from babies and then pushes the stroller down the stairs, you'd love to have him on your team because aside from being annoying, he's a good hockey player.

Good luck finding a Red Wings fan who will admit that. Those wounds--while six years old--are too fresh in Kris Drapers face. Detroit fans are trying to find a stronger word than hate to describe how they feel about Lemieux. Boston's Gallery Gods chime in helpfully: "Claude the Fraud."

Lemieux takes it in stride. He is what he is.

"Everyone would like to get standing ovations in every building they play in like Wayne Gretzky did, but it just isn't going to happen," Lemieux says. "When people boo or focus on you, I guess it's the next best thing. It's something you enjoy in a way. That shows you are doing your job, which is to make life tough on the other team and have an impact on what they are trying to do."

Lemieux changes a game by pestering other players, distracting them, especially in the postseason. Like a zit on prom night, Lemieux rises to the occasion. Perhaps more than any player in the league, he elevates his game during the playoffs. As the games get tighter, he grows ...