Last month the San Jose Sharks were running away with the Pacific Division, the Los Angeles Kings were relevant and the Detroit Red Wings were still mathematically playoff eligible.
Fast forward to today, the Sharks have fallen to third in the Pacific, the Kings are a mess and the Red Wings 25 year run of excellence is over.
A month ago there was hope and today all hope is lost. Sports are funny that way.
Despite snapping a season high six-game losing streak earlier in the week, the Sharks are in a tail spin.
On Thursday night the boys in teal dropped a big one to the Edmonton Oilers. The loss moved Edmonton two points (95 pts.) ahead of the Sharks (93pts.) for second place. The Anaheim Ducks lead the division with 96 points. All three teams have five games left on the schedule.
There were so many positive takeaways from the 5-4 overtime win of the New York Rangers on Tuesday night. The rally, the special teams and the game-winner from Brent Burns. But, with all the good that game from those two points - the loss to Edmonton is that much more damning.
Games are won and lost by teams and players making less mistakes than their opponents. Right now the Sharks can't get our of their own way. Too many mental lapses, bad turnovers and lazy line changes. These are not qualities found in good teams this late in the season.
The Sharks won't have long to lick their wounds. They face the Calgary Flames tonight and with three points separating the two teams, this too is a big one.
I don't feel good about it either.
Thanks for reading, Steve