Ellis (is an) Island

They say no man is an island, but it must have felt that way to Nashville Predators goalie, Dan Ellis, last night. Ellis seemed to be the only man who came to play in Game 5 of the series against the Detroit Red Wings. Stopping all but two of Detroit's 54 shots, Ellis was impressive; but was eventually bested by an overtime breakaway shot from Johan Franzen. 

The Preds lost 2-1 in a heartbreaker that could easily have gone their way. Even though they were playing without David Legwand and captain, Jason Arnott, there were just too many inexcusable  mistakes and an overall lack of intensity. I don't know what else it is going to take to take to make this team seize an opportunity like the one they had last night. Following wins in Games 3 and 4 here in Nashville they should have been riding a huge wave of momentum. Radek Bonk's goal with just 43.4 seconds left in regulation tied the game 1-1, and should have been a great boost of confidence. We could have been playing tomorrow afternoon at home with a chance to take the series and send all the critics into a tailspin with one of the greatest upsets ever. If all of that isn't motivation enough, nothing ever will be. I am so frustrated. 

Well, now they need to regroup, play like hell tomorrow, and go back to Detroit for Game 7 with fire in their eyes. We all know they can do it, they just need to believe it, too.