Yep, no one saw that coming!

So it's no surprise that we lost to the Sharks last night. What did surprise me was that the Oilers played a pretty decent game loosing 2-1 and out shooting the best team in the NHL. Why didn't they play like that against EVERY team this season? If they did they would have probably clinched a playoff spot and possibly even the division already. You're not going to beat the Sharks on many nights let's face it, but that's not the game we needed to win. Phoenix, Minnesota, Colorado, Nashville, Anaheim, etc. These are the teams who we needed to beat when we had the chance, yet time and time again we would flounder what should be easy points. I'm not expecting us to go 4-0 or 6-0 against these guys but come on, beat the teams you should beat more often then not and then take .500 vs the top teams and guess what? You'll make the dance.

I'm very frustrated with this team lately. Perhaps more so than ever before. I think my feelings are echoed throughout Rexall place and people watching on tv or listening on the radio when I say, I am fed up with mediocre hockey. 3 years since our last playoff game. 3 years since our thrilling miracle cup run that got us all so filled with hope. 3 years of disappointment. From the Pronger debacle, to the Smyth trade, to the inability to land a big free agent (aside from Souray, top marks for that one!), to poor asset management (Garon), when is this team going to begin to have the feel of a truly top notch NHL franchise? Detroit, Chicago, the Rangers, Bruins, hell even lowly teams like the Blues and Kings don't seem to have trouble building up a good reputation as good places to play. Vancouver looked to be in shambles last summer, loss of key players, new inexperienced GM, and look, now they may win the division.

What to do, what to do? Clean house? New management? Coach? Players? Maybe do what Toronto is doing and start from scratch? I doubt we will see changes that drastic, nor do I want them. 3 years without playoffs to me is unacceptable and management/ownership know it. They will find some sort of hype this summer to get people pumped up again. Maybe they can somehow sign Jagr, or Hossa, or Gaborik. They would all help, and get people talking, but would they get us to the playoffs in 2010? I don't know. Once again, we'll have plenty of time to discuss, analyze, and over analyze over this long off season.

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