Another weekend is here (and it’s somehow the first day of June already) and time for an overdue W6P. From the playoffs, to a war of words on the golf course, and more questionable calls by umpires, the sports world is never short on storylines and excitement.

The Conference Finals in the NHL begin tonight. The last 4 teams standing are also the last 4 teams to have won the Stanley Cup – this first time this has happened since 1945.  In the Eastern Conference, both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins made quick work of the last series and come into this meeting hot. It’s two teams who took different paths to get here – the Pens haven’t been challenged too much while it took the Bruins OT of game 7 in the first round before hitting their stride. It will be ‘Boston Strong’ versus the favored and top seeded Penguins. In the Western Conference, it took game 7 wins for each of these teams to advance and now we’ll see the Presidents’ Trophy winning Chicago Blackhawks versus the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings. Based on how they’ve played this postseason, the Kings look like the better team here – but Chicago has the better record. Should be a couple of fun matchups to watch!

In the NBA playoffs, with more days off now than they had during the regular season, half of the NBA Finals has been decided. The San Antonio Spurs swept the Memphis Grizzlies and look like the team we saw win the World Championship in 2005 and 2007. While everyone thinks of Miami or Boston when you hear the term “big three,” there’s a trio from Texas that should own that phrase. Lead by head coach Gregg Popovich; Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili seem to be in the same form they were nearly a decade ago and are now in position to win a 3^rd title in eight years. However, the winner from the east will likely have something to say about that. The Miami Heat are up 3-2 in the series, but I wouldn’t call it over yet (if it ends this way, my prediction for the finals will be correct). The Indiana Pacers have been competitive in every game – pretty impressive considering that their best player is sidelined with an injury. Unfortunately, this series has been more flopping, cheap shots and jawing than actual fun basketball to watch. I expect the Heat to win and go back to the finals, but could be beat up by the time they face a well-rested Spurs squad.

Two months into the Major League Baseball season and all we really know is a few teams that are really bad and several that should be competitive deep into the season. In this first season featuring a balanced schedule, fans are slowly getting used to having interleague games every day…and with it the debate surrounding the designated hitter position (DH) is intensifying. While baseball purists tend to be against the DH, it’s safe to say it isn’t going anywhere. The question that stands now is when will the NL change and adopt the DH position. While I hate watching pitchers try to hit (likely since I grew up with the DH), it can be another injury risk for guys who all you really want them to do is throw the ball. While that argument won’t change anyone’s mind, many GM’s from both leagues have been asked about the topic recently since managers need different game plans and rosters based on which ballpark they are playing in (AL or NL), which is now a problem every day instead of just for a couple weeks in May and June. They will either be short on bats or pitchers for certain games since they can’t risk moving players up and down from the minors so much that they have to eventually let them go if there isn’t roster space. Ultimately, I believe that it’s just a matter of time until all of MLB has a DH – but there will also be a couple years to grandfather in the change so current NL teams can change how they draft and/or who they’re signing as free agents. My guess is we won’t be seeing pitchers hitting anymore by the 2016 season.

The NFL may be the one sport that really doesn’t have an offseason, or at least a time that it’s not a topic of conversation. While training camps don’t start until next month, the offseason and OTA’s have given us plenty of injuries that will impact teams this fall. From Michael Crabtree having surgery for a torn Achilles to Arian Foster straining his calf, there have been a wide range of injuries through the end of May. Then, there’s Rob Gronkowski. Gronk, as he’s known around the league, had been a dominant tight end for the New England Patriots…until injuries hit. Since breaking his forearm last November, just to return and break it again in January, it has been a roller coaster for his recovery. Now, after 4 total surgeries on that forearm, he’ll undergo back surgery here in June – which will be his 6^th surgery since February 2012. While he hopes to be back for the start of the regular season, any setbacks or complications will push his timeline. His durability will be tested when he gets back on the field, but perhaps the biggest question remaining is if he can return to that dominant form or if we’ll just see a shell of Gronk once he returns.

In the college football ranks, quite the surprising story came out last weekend. After helping lead Notre Dame to an undefeated regular season and appearance in the National Championship Game, hopes were high for the Fighting Irish and starting quarterback Everett Golson. Then, news broke that he would be suspended for the 2013 football season (and from the school) after an incident of “poor academic judgment.” For being a university that prides themselves on academics and having smart kids – this was obviously a dumb move made by the young athlete. Given so many resources to succeed, including tutors, it’s hard for me to fathom what leads one to cheat in school. It’s probably the one thing that an athletic department can’t protect you from since you’ve violated university policy. Now, the team will scramble to fill their QB position this season while also keeping the door open for Golson to return in 2014. If nothing else, it gives head coach Brian Kelly an excuse if this is a down season and it is refreshing to see the school take a stand when a student athlete does something wrong instead of just trying to cover it up.

Finally, the happenings at the Rutgers Athletic Department are nothing short of crazy and totally confusing. For those who may not remember, head basketball coach Mike Rice was fired after in April video footage surfaced which showed him being abusive to his players.  Shortly after that, their AD, Tim Pernetti resigned. Then, on May 15^th, Julie Hermann was hired as the new AD, but the school apparently didn’t seem it necessary to look too far into her background first. She was named in a discrimination lawsuit involving a former assistant coach in the late 90’s, she has been accused of being an abusive coach as well by former players she coached at Tennessee which included a letter from them outlining the cruelty, and reportedly fired a coach after they complained about sexual discrimination. Not quite the glowing background the Scarlet Knights should have been looking for as they try to move on from the Rice scandal. While the school is standing by her for now, they have postponed meetings she was supposed to have on campus in the coming weeks – which leads you to wonder if she’ll still start on June 17^th as planned, or at all for that matter. With the move to the Big Ten on the horizon, it would probably be best for Rutgers if they move forward without her because if they allegations are true and they keep her on staff, they never should have fired Rice in the first place.

Extra Point: In sad news, the NCAA’s Winningest Quarterback was taken too soon this past week. Cullen Finnerty, who won 3 National Championships and had a record of 51-4 as a starter at Grand Valley State University. The 30 year old disappeared while fishing on Sunday and his body was found in a nearby woods on Tuesday night. While the cause of death is still unknown, a tragedy has taken place as he leaves behind a wife and two young children.