Is Gary Bettman Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?

On Saturday, at 2 p.m., the Ottawa Senators will take their 3-1 series lead into the fifth game of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Buffalo Sabres.

My question: Why the hell does the NHL schedule playoff hockey on a Saturday afternoon?

For almost a century now, the sport has been played during the evening...ESPECIALLY ON SATURDAYS! And this time there's no ''basketball game'' excuse to explain such a disgrace, because Buffalo doesn't have an NBA franchise.

So why does Gary Bettman insist on scheduling afternoon games?

I still can't find a single good answer to that one. In any event, it's no wonder hockey's doing so poorly in Uncle Sam's country, Bettman in his ignorance has ruined the traditional pleasure of spending a night at home watching good hockey with good friends.

This is a no-brainer. Most people are too busy during the day to watch a hockey game. Oh, and to ensure that the fewest viewers possible tune into the playoffs this weekend, the NHL will present Game Five of the Western Conference Finals...tomorrow afternoon.

Of course.

Even a fifth grader could get that hockey is and should be an evening event. So please Gary, don't ever make a celebrity cameo on  Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?...because I don't like your chances.