Well, yeah. I am back. Of course, I have plenty of thoughts on what’s been going on the past month. Been real preoccupied with Battle covering the NHL playoffs which thankfully are almost over. The first rematch in 24 years will get started later tonight when Sidney Crosby and the Pens visit Nick Lidstrom and the defending champion Red Wings.

Maybe it’s just me but I’m a little sick of it already. Who wants to watch the same two teams do battle? Sure. It will be a ratings bonanza for NBC yet they are so fearful of hockey that they forced the first two games to be back-to-back this weekend which is the first time in 54 years (seriously Ranger fans) that will happen. What kind of network does that? They just can’t allow any Cup game to interrupt Conan O’Brien’s much anticipated week debut on The Tonight Show. I’m a huge Conan fan. So, I get why. Still, you’d think the sport’s marquee event featuring the game’s biggest stars wouldn’t make NBC flinch out of the way like it was a Rocky Balboa left hook. It just goes to show how lowly hockey is thought of in this country when their own network basically dictates what the schedule is. Had either the Pens or Wings been extended, the Cup Final wouldn’t have started till June 5. Can you say just a tad ridiculous?

Most puck observers loved the NHL’s move to NBC feeling it would be excellent but based on how they’ve covered it which is hardly at all with their precious horse races and golf and God knows what else they’d prefer to air over hockey. It really is sad. As for Versus, I had a pretty good rant about how dreadful they have been on Battle. There’s nothing else to be said.

Hopefully, they’ll get an exciting Final that goes seven and features 2-3 OT games. I’m leaning towards the Pens because Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have been absolutely awesome this Spring and their supporting cast is better than last year. Plus the D is tougher and Detroit is banged up. Toss in the experience of losing to them and facing Marian Hossa and I figure they’ve got more than enough incentive to win the club’s first championship since 1992 when a No.66 and No.68 helped them repeat.

As for the Wings, they’re aiming to become the first repeat winner since you guessed it, their franchise led by Stevie Y and Sergei Fedorov turned the trick in 1998 sweeping the Caps a year after sweeping the Flyers. Not a bad legacy to chase. If they repeat though in this Cap Era, that will be a remarkable accomplishment which speaks to just how special the Detroit organization is. It’s much harder to remain successful in today’s game yet Ken Holland and his legion of scouts along with Mike Babcock continue to churn out talented players who fit right into their winning system. If they pull this off without probably Pavel Datsyuk to start and Kris Draper, it will demonstrate just how much depth they possess.

If you’re not a puck fan, do yourself a favor and watch this series. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

… Of course, if you live in this town, hockey basically doesn’t exist. It died less than a month ago when the Rangers and Devils fizzled out both making the wrong kind of history. Why does it feel like they haven’t played in a year? Because if you watch TV, listen to sportsradio or read the papers, it’s been baseball front and center since mid-February. Isn’t that a little sad? I like baseball too but come on. The way fans carry on here when their beloved Yankees or Mets get out of the gate slowly, pushing the panic button when Game 20 of 162 hasn’t been played is scary.

Fast forward a few weeks later and both high priced big market ballclubs are sitting atop their respective divisions. Of course, the same beat writers are now singing the praises of Mark Teixeira, C.C. Sabathia, K-Rod and <gulp> Gary Sheffield. Yep. That same guy who was painted evil but now has become an Amazin hero. Crazy. Johan Santana has been brilliant and Alex Rodriguez has let his bat do the talking. David Wright has erased the boos and Johnny Damon has become a dangerous No.2 hitter in a contract year. Omir Santos has become a cult fixture in Queens and Francisco Cervelli has proven he should be the starting Yankee backstop even if Jorge Posada’s finally healthy. The Captain has quietly produced while Luis Castillo now gets cheered. This is NYC. Where your fate can change over the course of 24 hours. Carlos Beltran has raked and now nobody calls to discuss trading Robby Cano or The Melk Man. John Maine and Mike Pelfrey have silenced critics (Oliver who?) and Andy Pettite has outpitched A.J. Burnett. Nick is Swish-a-licious and Livan Hernandez has turned back the clock. Seriously. Phil Hughes belongs in the Yankee rotation and Joba back in the setup role. The Mets hardly miss Jose Reyes and Daniel Murphy’s future is now at first. The Yankee pen is quite scary while the Amazin’s is almost automatic. And the two NY teams are a combined 15 over .500 both half a game up on their chief rivals. Life is so good that even Mike Lupica’s looking forward to June. Until the next crisis.

… It’s safe to say Evan Longoria is the best young hitter in the game. He just might already be the best player. Too bad his team isn’t coming close to performing like defending AL champs. Do you think any Philly fan misses Pat Burrell with the way Raul Ibanez is scorching the ball? The run production for a 37 year-old NY native is a bit scary. I bet the Rays wish they had a doover on trading away Edwin Jackson to the first place Tigers. It’s refreshing to see Texas in first with Nolan Ryan taking games in and holding pitchers accountable. He wants to do away with pitch counts. Are you going to doubt a legend who struckout over 5,000 and tossed seven no-hitters? We didn’t think so! The Brewers have proved there’s life after Ca$h Cow and Ben Sheets. And Tony LaRussa’s at it again with his Cards. Heck. Even the Reds have shown improvement. Is there any doubt what the best division in the Senior Circuit is? I bet Sweet Lou must’ve had an ear to ear grin after Carlos Zambrano’s blowup with another senile ump. The Dodgers sure miss Manny. Juan Pierre has never played better. Somehow, both the Giants and Padres are .500 which speaks to the kinda managing each is getting. Given how deep their staff is, imagine if San Fran had an actual offense. No. Bengie Molina doesn’t count when he bats cleanup. It’s not the manager in Colorado. Is there a more dysfunctional team than the one that plays in the nation’s cap? Jim Bowden sure couldn’t wait to abandon ship. That franchise is so bad, they should be disbanded. Can anyone hit Zach Greinke? Is this really the end for Big Papi? With Carl Crawford tearing up the basepaths and Jacoby Ellsbury doing the same in Beantown, it sure is nice to see the stolen base back. Who is Aaron Hill? The best kept secret in the AL. Joey Votto’s a monster in the state of Ohio. Ain’t it funny how DL Pavano has won five of his last six starts headed into Sunday’s match-up versus his ex-team? It’s also laughable how bad the Xavier Nady/Damaso Marte deal now looks. Especially with Ross Ohlendorf budding into a top three starter. And finally, did Ryan Church piss in Jerry Manuel’s cornflakes? Someone should contact the guys at CSI.

… I’ll just say that I’m disappointed that the Nuggets didn’t take the Lakers seven. To get beat that badly on your own home court when you were basically even most of the series is humiliating. Maybe my brother’s right. Perhaps Denver really is jinxed. Sure. They got the two Stanley Cups with the Avs but those may as well be half a century ago given how God awful they now are. Even former hero Patrick Roy rejected them. How do you think Tony Granato feels? Same thing with the Rockies who we think just two years ago made the World Series. And the Broncos have their two Lomardi Trophies but no Jay Cutler thanks to a dumb egocentric young coach trying to make his mark. Okay. LeBron’s performance scoring or assisting on 32 straight points spanning the end of the third and fourth quarters in an elimination game was amazing. But he’s not better than Kobe. Sorry buddy. You might not have as good a supporting cast but I’ll take Mr. Bryant in crunchtime anyday. Dwight Howard’s a monster but he should be given how freakish he is compared to other NBA bigs. We still think he needs more work in the lowpost. Bet Patrick Ewing still has a better postgame. I’ve said it for a while that Hedo Turkoglu is the most overlooked superstar. He does so many things well. He can shoot, drive and get his points but the versatile small forward also rebound and distributes. Bet the Kings wish they’d kept him. Speaking of brutal franchises. Rashard Lewis has been money from the outside all playoffs too.  Can someone tell me why Mike Brown didn’t start playing Booby Gibson more until his team got behind 3-1? And shouldn’t the LI kid Wally Szczerbiak be getting more PT? When Stan Van Gundy suddenly morphs into a coaching genius, you know you’re in trouble. I’ve always liked his game but some of the decisions Chauncey Billups made in the pivotal Game 5 late were flat out awful. Speaking of coaching, is it any coincidence Phil Jackson got the better of George Karl, who refused to play Renaldo Balkman? If I’m the Nuggets, I have to consider moving J.R. Smith. For as good a scorer as he is, he’s just a little too selfish and has a poor attitude. Unless that suddenly changes, it might make sense to see what they can get. He’d be a perfect Knick. Whatever happened to the Yi Net Era? Just saying. Give me the Lakers over either the Magic or Cavs in 6.

… You only have to watch a few points on clay to fully comprehend Rafael Nadal’s dominance. Poor Lleyton Hewitt. It’s nice to see most of the seeds still around including lone American men’s hopeful Andy Roddick. I’m hoping he’ll at least get to face the exciting Frenchman Gael Monfils in the Round of 16. Roger Federer struggling in the second round either is a very bad sign or a good one depending on how he responds to the challenge. No surprise to see Venus go bye bye in the first week at the French Open. The red surface just ain’t cutout for her or younger sis Serena. And yes. I’d be shocked if she reached the semis. I like one of the Russians to win. Either Dinara Safina, Elena Dementieva or Svetlana Kuznetsova. Dementieva was fortunate to win her last match with comeback story Jelena Dokic bowing out due to a back injury. She led by a set and was on serve when it happened. Her life’s already been Hell thanks to eccentric Dad Damir. It would be nice if she got a break. Hopefully, she’ll at least be alright for the grass at Wimbledon in a few weeks. Tell ya what. Her power game is taylor made for it. Novak Djokovic is more than just the other contender in Roland Garros. I’m not sure about Andy Murray but he has a shot to do something as well. There’s at least one real good fourth round match with former top 5 Nikolay Davydenko taking on Australian Open semifinalist Fernando Verdasco. That could be a lot of long, grinding points. Possibly five sets and four hours. If you like good tennis, check it out. I won’t take  defending champ Ana Ivanovic seriously until she beats a real opponent. She gets the winner of Carla Suarez Navarro-Victoria Azarenka, who are a set apiece entering the weekend. Even though clay is not her fortet and it’s her second tournament back, never underestimate Maria Sharapova. She’s already pulled out three three-setters. Will she wear down against Na Li? Jelena Jankovic also shouldn’t be counted out. She has a lot to prove and would love to win her first major in Paris. But can she deliver when the pressure’s on? On the men’s side, other younger seeds to keep an eye on are talented Croat Marin Cilic and Muhammad Ali French clone Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. A possible Tsonga-Juan Martin Del Potro Round of 16 match-up could happen. That would be a lot of fun. Still like Rafa to win a record fifth consecutive French but the road should be tougher. Win and the fiery kid from Mallorca will really take his place among tennis greats.

… I’ll miss Jay Leno but am glad he’ll be back this September. Best of luck. Conan will do great but his replacement ain’t doing too badly. Say what you will but Jimmy Falloon sure is wacky. That ending with Justin Long. Classic stuff. And who don’t love The Roots?

Well, I think I’ve covered pretty much everything. It’s too early to talk pigskin. Mark Sanchez needs to do more than score off the field with hottie Hillary Rhoda.

Until next time. Peace and One Love!