Oh dear...

(AP Photo, Tom Mihalek)

Seriously, can it get any worse for this team? We lose 2-1 in overtime to Florida in a game we were winning for 59:56, until Jay Bouwmeester put a shot past Antero Nittymaki. Then, Olli Jokinen scored the game-winner. Then we find out that Mike Richards is gone for three weeks with a torn hamstring. And today, Peter Forsberg announced that he will be playing for Colorado for the rest of the season. To top it all off, we've now dropped ten straight games, are stuck in a tie for ninth in the East with the New York Islanders, and face a huge road game against Buffalo tonight.

Did I leave anything out? No, I think that pretty much covers it.

Someone, anyone, on this team has got to step up and take the leadership role. Jason Smith was appointed captain during preseason, but it looks like he doesn't want it anymore. I subscribe to the theory that the best team leaders come from within, but so far none of the vets want any part of it. Simon Gagne (who's done for the year), Jeff Carter (who may be traded tomorrow), Richards, Sami Kapanen (who shouldn't even be on the ice)...no one is willing to put this team on their back. Maybe it's the pressure of playing in Philadelphia, which can't be any worse than the pressure of playing for one of the Canadian teams. Maybe no one wants to take the blame. Who knows. All I know is that this team, amazingly enough, is still good enough to make the playoffs. They just need to break this slump.

For tonight's game, Gagne, Richards, Derian Hatcher, and Joffrey Lupul are definitely out with injuries. Jesse Boulerice was called up from the Phantoms to help fill in the roster, though I doubt he'll see much ice time. I'm assuming that Martin Biron will be in net against his old club, seeing as how Nitty needs a break. This game doesn't have to be pretty. It doesn't have to be an exhibition of skilled passing and top-shelf shooting. JUST FRIGGIN' WIN!!!!!