We had to laugh yesterday when bingofuel accidentally declared Game 81 to be Game 82 in the GDB. Commenters were quick to point out the error and The Fuellian One was quick to text us "is there REALLY another game this weekend? Next year we are SO NOT writing the GDB titles in Roman Numerals. I don’t care what else changes with the team next year Wanye, but no more Roman numerals will mark the start of the Hall/Sequin Era as far as I am concerned."

But here it really is Nation. Game 82 of what we consider to be the worst season the Oilers have had since they joined the NHL from the new defunct WHA waaaaaay back in 1979.

Not even the dulcet sounds of Jim Morrison can soothe our tattered nerves this year. For those of you keeping score, this marks the third season that the OilersNation has existed. By our rough estimates we have collectively hammered out about 246 regular season GDBs – or just a shade under three seasons – of this brutal playoff free hockey.

We would give anything for a playoff game Nation.

Anything.

Does someone need to be traded? We will personally run them out of town by camping naked on their lawn for weeks on end and having multiple paparazzi follow him about town documenting each and every facet of his life until he tells Oilers brass he needs to be moved.

Is it a player that needs to come to town in order to fix things? We will personally kidnap their favourite Uncle with the sole demand that player XYZ be immediately traded to Edmonton. The Uncle won’t be harmed (at first) but unless trade talks are opened within 48 hours between the as yet unnamed player and Oilers Brass things could get really real, really fast.

Whatever it takes Nation. Crimes of passion are always given more lenient sentences by the Canadian Courts.

We can’t have another season of this non-playoffian hockey. Brownlee is already making noises that the team won’t contend for a playoff spot next year. What then Nation?

What then?!

What have we done to deserve this oh Wise Gods of Hockey? How have we offended you? We buy NHL brand merchandise every year to placate your bloodlust for revenue. We purchase the PPVs, we feverishly read every printed word written about the team AND we find ourselves listening to sports radio an inordinate amount of time.

What else can we do?

On Tuesday the NHL will draw out the balls for the 2010 Entry Draft. We just know that if the Oilers don’t get the first pick overall the commentary on here will positively ESPLODE with statements like:

With Hall and Sequin recently flip flopping the number one and number two spots in the Central Scouting Rankings, it is really a coin toss between the two players Nation. And with first or second pick on lock, the Oilers can’t possibly lose come draft day in June. 

Let’s all try and keep this in mind this week shall we? 

Are we wrong? Really?

Sigh.

See you at 6 Oilers.