April 15: Gauntlets Create Champions

After all the games, all the injuries, all the overachieving and all the underachieving, all the drama, the post-season is finally here. None of that matters, as both the NHL and NBA prepare for their gauntlets. 

Mike "the Buzz-saw" Asti and George "the Howitzer" Gerbo guide all you buffoons through the Stanley Cup brackets. Yes, brackets. What are your favorite sports genius' thoughts on the NHL's new playoff format? Is this bracket strategy a plan to attract more fans? 

Did the Penguins luck out by receiving Columbus in the first round? Despite a dominant season, is Boston on upset alert against the red-hot Red Wings? Are Philadelphia and New York both playing with house money? When thinking Montreal vs Tampa, it's all about the grind. 

Out west, even with tons of All-Star fire power, are the Ducks possibly overrated? Can Minnesota take advantage of Colorado? Has St. Louis run into a nightmare matchup against Chicago? Will the Sharks be able to get over the hump this year, or do the Kings have another deep run in them? 

While the NHL playoff matchups are set, the NBA is still waiting on some positioning. But does positioning really matter in the Eastern Conference? Did Miami screw themselves by resting LeBron, and losing a chance at the number one seed? Now earning home court, will Indiana snatch the crown from the Heat? Which teams, if any, can pose as a roadblock to another Heat and Pacers Eastern Conference Finals? 

The Spurs are once again elite. When will their age catch up with them? Could the Warriors or Clippers entertain us for months? Is Houston built like a champion? How much pressure is on Kevin Durant? Kevin, listen to the Buzz-saw, embrace Slim Reaper. 

There's playoff conquering, and there's the Howitzer and Buzz-saw: conquering sports radio, one day, at a time....