The NHL's Boys of Summer

The 2006 Stanley Cup Final begins Monday, a decision made before Buffalo's overtime win on Tuesday night, which forces a seventh game in the Eastern Conference Final.

If it goes the full seven games the championship series won't end until June 19, making this the second-longest season in NHL history. The record was set in 1995, when the games didn't begin until January because of a lockout. The New Jersey Devils were handed the Stanley Cup on June 24.

In a recent online chat, Eric Duhatschek of the Toronto Globe and Mail reported that the scheduling is driven by NBC: "CBC obviously would prefer a Saturday start, so they could potentially get three Saturday broadcasts in the final (the third, the 10th and the 17th), but their input is secondary to that of NBC's."

Sustaining interest in summer hockey has long been a problem for the National Hockey League, which has seen its playoff showcase stretch into June every season since 1992. There are on-ice problems as well - if not for the wonky, sticky ice, Tuesday's Buffalo-Carolina game might have ranked as a true playoff classic.

The last two teams standing shouldn't have to compete with barbeques and the beach. This year's late schedule can be blamed on the lengthy Olympic break. But there's no reason why the big trophy can't be raised by mid-to-late May every year.