[Phanuthier]

Honestly, the "mandate to make the playoffs" is such a blind goal. Its like a dog chasing its own tail, and has no idea what to do. I don't profess to know more then the pro's, but I would like to think the direction to get there would be obvious:

1. cut down the goals again. Know how to lock it down when you are up 2-1, and the confidence in your team when you are up 2-1 then you can win a game. Its the easiest way to win a game, easier to prevent goals then score goals.

2. commitment to team defense. Quoting the great Ville Niemenen, 23 drivers for 1 bus.

3. build a core from the goaltender out... we need a starting goalie and No 1 D, badly. Forget that No 1 center fantasy, that comes after.

Honestly, we are 0/3 for those. So we're not even close. In the short term, what we need to see is:

a) consistency
b) pride for the logo... do NOT get blown out in your own barn, and try to be .500 or better in your own arena
c) while i don't think we need meat heads, we can't be physically intimidated and continue to be the smallest, softest team night in and night out

Here, we are also 0/3 as well... but this is easier to fix.

Start with the latter, then do the former, then we're on our way to talk about playoffs.. IMO.