"You should, by any reasonable standard, consider him the devil.

OK, that's a bit harsh. That's way harsh. That is ... ah, fine, totally outlandish. But what Jonas Hiller is doing to the Red Wings is harsh and outlandish, too. Hiller, the Anaheim Ducks' goalie, has already pushed the Wings to the brink of ruin.

"Hiller's been outstanding in this series," Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "He's had to be, because territorially, we've carried play a ton."

That was a pretty blunt way for Babcock to say he thinks the Wings have been a much better team in this series. It is hard to argue the point. The Wings have outshot Anaheim, 254-166, in this series. They have fired at least 10 more shots on goal in every game.

How has Hiller done it? How has he frustrated the defending champs in this, his first NHL postseason? How has he maintained his poise?

"It doesn't really matter if it's NHL or Swiss league," Hiller said. "The procedure is the same thing. There's probably less people watching you (in Switzerland), but there is still pressure from yourself, pressure from the media, pressure from the fans, pressure from your own teammates."

You probably haven't worked up much hate for Hiller. Maybe it's because this is his first postseason, and maybe it's because the rest of the Ducks seem to be holding some sort of side competition to see who can be the most hated man in Detroit.

Well, here are some nasty facts about Hiller: he likes ... sailing! And tennis! That dirty thug, huh? It gets worse. He cooks fondue. I bet he throws live animals into the pot and snickers.

Um ... your blood isn't exactly boiling here, is it? Sorry. I got nothing for you."