First of all, I commend Muller and John M for not giving in to the urge to say "I told ya that they could not win without Saks". Obviously you guys know your hockey and know that was not the problem last night, although certainly a factor.

Let me keep this short and sweet. The problem that has hounded this team all year came back to bite them last night. They did NOT comptete! Gainey said himself after the game that his forwards did not work hard enough and yes, the shots on goal in this case are a definate true indicator of the game. Gainey failed to address the problem at center ice at the trade deadline. Aside form a terribly slow Todd Simpson, Gainey failed to address the slow defence problems. Ladies and gentlemen, we are now paying the price for that. Even with Koivu in the lineup we are terribly weak at the center ice position. Factor in Begin out and we are horrid. PERIOD.

Even Saks was unable to generate any shots on net to speak of in this series. We are being manhandled down the middle. PLAIN and SIMPLE. Ribs has elevated his game to an extent but is not a 2nd line center and Bonk is not a first line center. To give Bonk credit, I thought he played well and competed last night. Let me make a prediction. This series is OVER. Done. TOAST. Call me negative and poop all over me. I can take it. But I call it like I see it. Gainey felt at the deadline that there was nothing worth going after to fill the holes in the team. He has decided to allow the kids to develop and to wait for the free agent bonanza to sign players. He knows alot more than me and I respect his approach and plan.

But, in reality, we were gifted 2 games in Carolina due to horrible goaltending. Cam Ward goes in and we almost lose game 2. We have been dominated down the middle and our dmen have looked like pylons dressed in Santa suits (see Souray and Bouillon last night). I hope I am wrong. But when you do not show up to play a pivotal game like last night, it does not lend one much hope for optomism.