Classic Series on the NHL Network

So, I am home sick from work and I have some time on my hands. I decide to watch a DVD of the NHL Network's Classic Series: Toronto vs. the Islanders from 2002.

I've been putting it off, as you can probably understand. It's something I want to see, but not over and over again.

Here's how it begins: Michael Peca (then of the Islanders) is being interviewed and he says, "He's been saying to me on numerous occasions he was, he was uh, he was uh going to try and injure me. Do somethin'."

Guess who he is talking about? Yep. Darcy Tucker.

Then the show goes immediately to the play where Tucker injured Peca by low-bridging him at the knee.

I've said it before and I will say it again: that one play derailed what should have been the rebirth or renaissance of the New York Islanders. Everything was balloons and chocolate pudding until that hit. Since then, we've had to make do with keeping our heads just above water.

The series went to seven games. I am not going to rehash all of them because if you're reading this, you know what happened. But taking a battle-tested team like the Maple Leafs to seven games in an incredibly hard-fought first series should have been the jumping-off point to bigger and better; not the beginning of settling for mediocrity and whatever we can do to make to the playoffs only to whimper out of the first round.

And yes, I am pissed off after watching this show. So many opportunities were wasted and frittered away in 2002. Now we are left hoping for better with a makeshift lineup and coaching magic.

Look--I am competitive as anyone but I am thinking that if the Isles push like hell to make the playoffs that it's just going to be another quick exit like all the others. Maybe we need to not make the playoffs--take a step backward--before the team can take two steps ahead.

Also, does anyone have Kenny Jonsson's phone number? Can we get him to come back?