Look guys, there's no sugar-coating this: we're in for a rough ride - and I don't mean the kind the Calgary Stampede provide. No, what we're in for is much, much worse.

Mediocrity. Dealing with the Red Wings, a team we've grown accustomed to toying with the rest of the league on a regular basis, being an average, middling team.

So whether or not you're aboard the Hasek, taking stock of how many bottles of hooch remain, and whether the mops and buckets are still in usable condition... well, that's your call. The Stress Train's a-smokin' like it hasn't in quite some time, and doesn't look like it's going to stop any time soon; if you're in it for the long haul, better bring a change of underwear, some wet naps, and tell the neighbors to hide their pets.

No rainbows, hookers, or firetrucks where we're headed -- it's a Live Blog, Bitches.