Another lapse, elimination for Sharks; what changes for next year?

The San Jose Sharks exhibited heart, intensity and competence in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. Problem is that one inevitably wonders where the hell they were in the previous games that led to their elimination by the Vancouver Canucks, 3-2, in double-overtime.
Grunts like Torrey Mitchell and Kyle Wellwood outplayed their counterparts. The defense limited the time and space for the Sedins to make magic. Joe Pavelski became clutch again. Devin Setoguchi found the back of the net again. And Dany Heatley DANY HEATLEY! — climbed off the back of the milk carton to pump six shots on Roberto Luongo and do so many little things in his own zone that you felt you were watching a Selke nominee.
Joe Thornton played well in Game 5 despite a separated shoulder. Ryane Clowe(notes) competed through his injuries, which Coach Todd McLellan said will "need to be repaired" this summer.
Yet in the end — and by that we mean in the end of regulation — there it was again for the 2010-11 San Jose Sharks: The Lapse. That momentary plunge into failure that subverts all of their success. And it cost them a victory.
They had seen this before. The two goals in 14 seconds for Willie Mitchell(notes) and Kyle Clifford(notes) in Game 2 against the Los Angeles Kings. The Ryan Smyth(notes) goal 18 seconds into the third period of Game 6.
The Darren Helm(notes) goal at 18:33 of the third in Game 4 against the Detroit Red Wings. The Jonathan Ericsson(notes) and Danny Cleary(notes) goals less than two minutes apart in Game 5.