As the temperature rises, the NBA and NHL Playoffs heat up

As the 2009 spring semester comes to a close, the summer begins, bringing two main sporting events with it.

The NBA and NHL playoffs have begun and are as heated as ever, as both leagues have dealt out first round match-ups for the ages. In total, nine of the 16 series went to at least a sixth game, and four of those needed a seventh game to finally settle the score. This lead me to consider the question "What are the best overtimes, game seven's, championships, and sudden deaths in recent playoff history?" I was astonished at the number of games and match-ups I could rattle off.

Before reading on, take a minute and think of a few on your own, you too will be amazed.

This years NHL and NBA playoffs are only adding more thrilling match-ups.

For starters, we all will remember this year's Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics series. In the first six games there were a total of seven overtimes played. In game one the seventh seeded Bulls overcame a second half comeback from the Celtics to win in overtime. Despite the Celtics winning games two, three, and five, the Bulls won games four and the game six, three overtime heart-stopping thriller. In game seven the Celtics easily handed defeat to the Bulls and sent them packing back to Chicago.

In another exciting series, the Miami Heat fell to the Atlanta Hawks in seven games. This series may not have been as action packed as the Bulls-Celtics series, but it should not be overlooked, as it still should be regarded as one of the best series of the year.

In the NHL the Washington Capitals were lead by forwards Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin to overcome a three games to one deficit to defeat the New York Rangers and advance to the second round. Currently the Capitals are taking on Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In the other series that went to seven games, the Carolina Hurricanes needed every second to defeat the all time winningest goaltender Martin Broudeur and the New Jersey Devils.

With 1:20 left in their season, the Hurricanes trailed the Devils three to two. Then, Jussi Jokinen saved the season with a goal that beat Broudeur on his left side. This goal looked to force overtime, an overtime in which the Devils would more than likely become victorious. However, Eric Staal had different ideas. With only 32 seconds remaining, Staal scored to stun the Devils and fans throughout New Jersey. Staal's goal was not the only last second goal in the series. The Hurricanes won game two in overtime with a goal from Tim Gleason. In game four, Jussi Jokinen scored with less than one second remaining to tie the series at two games apiece. The Hurricanes Devils series can certainly be ranked as one of the best in 2009.

With so much excitement in the playoffs already, there is sure to be more to come. In the NHL Western Conference Quarterfinals, the eighth ranked Anaheim Ducks defeated the top seeded San Jose Sharks in six games. In the NBA, the sixth ranked Dallas Mavericks defeated the third ranked San Antonio Spurs in five games.

In the NBA Semi-Finals I look for the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James to overtake the Boston Celtics to earn a bid to the NBA finals. As for the Western Conference, I look for Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers to defeat the Dallas Mavericks. In the finals, Lebron James will be the NBA Finals MVP and lead the Cavs to a championship.

The NHL looks to be much less predictable, however I believe Evgeni Malkin and the Pittsburgh Penguins will defeat Ovechkin and the Capitals in seven games in the Conference Semi-Finals. This series could be another one for the record books, as it includes the scoring champions from the past three years in Crosby, Malkin and Ovechkin. In the Semi-Finals I look for the Penguins to be lead to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second year in a row when they defeat the top-seeded Boston Bruins. In the Western Conference, the Red Wings will defeat their bitter rival the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Stanley Cup Finals will be a rematch from last year between the Penguins and the Red Wings. This series will be yet another to go to seven games when the Penguins force game seven, however, the Red Wings will win their second Stanley Cup in a row for Detroit.

The NBA and NHL playoffs are sure to provide great entertainment for the Sports nation throughout May and into June. One can only imagine what will happen with so much excitement already.