53 shots and not a single goal. As a writer, I find it a daunting task to sum up last afternoon’s game any better than that. Simply put, this team should be ashamed of themselves. On a day that was supposed to be a tribute to 17 players that changed hockey history, the Isles go out there and completely stink up the place. Now I’m sure that the most of you are saying, “They outplayed the Panthers that entire game Pat, take it easy.” Well to those people I say, “I’m sick of it.”

I’m sick and tired and seeing whatever goalie is in net for this team forced to play an almost perfect game for this team for them to come out on top every night. Then when your goaltender gets cold and the team starts to go down the tubes, we blame the goaltender. That’s what I did yesterday. I said DP has to wake up and play better in net. Do I still agree with that statement? Of course I do, but at this point in the season, I wonder if any goalie could play as good as this team needs them to play in order to win the necessary games to make the playoffs.

Look at the way Wade Dubielewicz played yesterday. The guy hasn’t played since January 31 and he still made all the saves to get his team the win. Nonetheless, this team didn’t support him adequately in the offensive zone. Where were Ruslan Fedotenko, Mike Comrie and Bill Guerin on the scoresheet yesterday? Weren’t these guys going to be the guys that were going to bolster the offense? Wasn’t Fedotenko and Comrie supposed to have career years and prove once and for all that they were first line players? I know Guerin is supposed to be the glue that is keeping this team together in the locker room, but what about on the ice? 20 goals isn’t enough for me bub, you scored 36 last season and you signed 36-goal money, start putting the puck in the net. Aside from a hot streak before the All-Star break, Guerin hasn’t put it together this season and hasn’t done what he was expected to do.

Don’t even get me started on Miroslav Satan either. The last year on a three-year contract, Satan needs to go find a home this offseason, outside Long Island. Aside from a solid 35-goal season during his first year with the Isles, he’s been consistently inconsistent and makes me wonder why Buffalo got so much better after they got rid of him.

I think Billy Jaffe said it best yesterday when he said this team is missing a pure goal scorer, a person who can put this team on his back and carry them offensively. Without that, they’re just a bunch of makeshift second liners and grinders. As much as I love the consistent effort of guys like Trent Hunter, Richard Park and Sean Bergenheim give every night, it’s not enough.

With the trading deadline gone and no other options left, this team needs to put it together and fast.

Posted under Post Game Rants