What do you need?

Ok. Let's get something straight. The Sharks going to game 7 vs. the Calgary Flames is NOT a desirable thing; even if you have it as a home game. After watching game 6, I could barely make it through, it was just that painful to watch. I've listened to numerous Sports Talk shows today on the radio, just to see what they think, as well as to opinions of other listeners. It wasn't very kind to say the least. I heard everything from "No Heart, No Effort/Effortless, Listless, Day Dreaming, No Passion." That got me thinking, what do these guys need to get over the hump? I decided to take the time to play devil's advocate and pretend I was a hockey player as a Shark.

What do I need?

Hockey Equipment - I wear the best of the best, and pick what I want to wear. The team has an equipment manager. check.

A coach to put me in the game - Hell, I got that, if I'm a star on the Sharks, I already know i'm going to be on the ice a minimum of 23-26 mins. check.

My teammates - Well, literally everyone except for a few on the blue line, and Milan Michalek has showed up at some point during the series, so I know I should be able to rely on them. partial check.

Money - I get paid to play my favorite game. I get paid to play a game I grew up playing, a game I would play for free. Hell, i get paid a ridiculous 6+ figure salary to play a game I would pay to enter a league to play. check.

We want to kiss the cup, right?

Dreams - My dream as a hockey player is to what?! Just play in the NHL? Or is it to be the next Gretzky? Is it to be the next Gordie Howe, or the next Maurice "The Rocket" Richard? I mean, were my dreams not to win the Stanley Cup? check.

Effort - Well, I've made several hits, and taken quite a few. Have I committed stupid penalties? Have I helped killed our own penalties? Have I made it a point to put the puck on net during our power plays? Have I made good decisions as to where I pass the puck or when I dump the puck in zone? Have I watched film or listened to my assistant coaches to let me know what my opponent tendencies are? Hrmm... I wonder once again if fellow teammate Milan Michalek has done this.

I don't know, Am I missing something here?! I mean as a player on the Sharks, I'm getting a good 6 or 7 of the 8 categories taken care of. What do I need to have happen to make me play like with some enthusiasm? Here's a few other specifics that once again make you ask "What's going on?"

Elimination game - With one more win, we're in the next round. With one win, we can rest and prepare for the next series. With one more win, I'm that much closer to accomplishing my dream that I've had as a kid. I've got to this point by working hard, but I'm not a champion, I'm not popping bottles of champagne or holding up a giant trophy, YET. If I want that, I need to make sure I play the best I can.

Leadership - My captain just showed me in game 3, 4, and 5 why he's the captain. He got destroyed and bounced back and has just been unstoppable. I want to be seen as that kind of player, someone who can be relied upon at all times. I should be playing hard to be like that.

Possibilities - This team is young, this team has everyone on contract for a long time. You look around the league and it's unlikely that many of the teams has a chance to go to the playoffs, not to mention be a serious contender for the Cup. I should play my butt off because chances like these are rare and other players around the league absolutely relish the position I'm in. Am I taking this opportunity for granted?

If you're able to answer all these, maybe you can tell me why the Sharks just bombed in game 6. Give credit to the Flames where due, they're obviously a tough opponent. Let's be real tho, the Sharks are ridiculous from head to toe, and anyone would love to have this line up as their team to root on, in any city. Maybe, not detroit, maybe not the Rangers, but c'mon any city would love to have a team like this and would expect a team like this to come to play.