The NHL’s Western Conference Finals series has gotten a bit ugly. The Phoenix Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings clearly don’t like each other and it is starting to show.

Aside from the normal chippy hits that happen from time-to-time, the Kings have certainly gotten under the skin of the higher-seeded Coyotes. After taking Game 1 in Phoenix, Los Angeles was up 2-0 in Game 2 midway through the second period and Coyotes goalie Mike Smith was not happy about it.

In the video after the jump, Smith was clearly frustrated by his team’s disappointing play. As the Coyotes were killing a pair of penalties, Kings captain and professional pest Dustin Brown cruised past the front of the net. Smith then took a hard whack at the back of Brown’s right knee.

That video is ugly.

This is the kind of thing that is absolutely inexcusable. Brown wasn’t looking and was completely defenseless. Smith took a slashing penalty for the act and – in what was a ridiculous call – Brown went to the box for diving or “embellishment” as well.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Smith takes a fine or maybe even gets suspended for a game for that slash. It was absolutely unacceptable. Brown could have been seriously injured.

The Kings ended up winning Game 2 4-0 to take a 2-0 lead in the series. Los Angeles will return home with a big lead in the Conference Finals, and a 10-1 record in the playoffs. And all of this out of the No. 8 seed in the West. The Kings have also won their last nine road playoff games dating back to last season. That ties an NHL record.

Three flights of stairs separate me from my mailbox, so I have plenty of time to ponder the world’s greatest mysteries in transit.

On one of these jaunts I was thinking, “When was the last time I actually mailed something? Sure I get mail, but when was the last time I actually put a stamp on an envelope and physically mailed something?”

Bills? I pay online. Letters to pals? Come on, email. Greeting cards? I have engreet do it.

No wonder post offices across the country are under threat. And while I grieve for the postmen and women, they aren’t the real victims. The truly aggrieved are stamps. Yup, stamps.

I know I’m not the only one who collected stamps as a kid. Doesn’t mean I was a stamp nerd. It was just some common ground for a kid and a dad. (I was probably a stamp nerd.) But I had books of them. And being a sports fan, I always tried to make sure I had most of the stamps athletes featured on.

In 1981, golf legends Bobby Jones and Babe Zaharias were each put on an 18-cent stamp. (Though to call Babe just a golfer is an injustice.) I had both. The 1983 Babe Ruth 20-cent stamp, had that one too. I even had a 1961 James Naismith four-cent stamp.

Most of the athlete-related stamps have been issued well after my collecting days. (I cannot emphasize how well after.) But now that mailing and stamps are becoming obsolete, who weeps for the stamps?

I do. I weep for them.

So in their honor, I present you with the Top 10 Athlete Stamps in U.S. Postal History.

10. Josh Gibson (2000) - In 2000, the U.S. Postal Service issued a slew of old ball player stamps, so I just plucked my favorite of that lot. “The Black Babe Ruth” certainly looks the part in the picture. Dude’s face looks like he’s 12.

9. Jack Dempsey (1998) - I’m a sucker for pugilism. Plus, it looks like he’s about to kick some ass.

8. Babe Ruth (1983) - “The White Josh Gibson” has a few stamps. And sure the 1998 Ruth Stamp is more aesthetically pleasing, but I owned the ’83 stamp and one common factor in my Top 10s is sentimentality. Sorry for your troubles ’98. (Not really. Celine’s heart was going on and Will Smith was getting jiggy wit it. Good riddance to that year.)

7. Babe Zaharias - Chauvinism took a backseat in the stamp collecting game. Plus, her name was Babe and she wasn’t fat…and there’s the chauvinism…Zaharias was a three-time All-American in basketball, who in 1932 won Olympic golds medals in javelin and the 80-meter hurdles, and would have won a third had she not been disqualified in the high jump. Then golf came next and she dominated. She won two titles after cancer surgery in 1952.

6. George Halas - Didn’t I mention the whole sentimentality thing? While the Vince Lombardi stamp has an argument, it’s falling on deaf ears. Another recurring theme in these Top 10s: F@*k the Packers.

5. Arthur Ashe (2005) - The picture may look familiar to Sports Illustrated subscribers. It’s the picture SI used for the cover of the 1992 Sportsman of the Year issue. The stamp was issued in at the U.S. Open in August 2005 and was dedicated on Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day at the stadium bearing his name. Pretty. Freaking. Cool.

4. Joe Louis (1993) - Some argue that Louis was the first boxer to be honored with a stamp by the USPS, but that distinction belongs to Eddie Eagan, an Olympic gold medalist in both boxing and bobsledding. Eagan’s stamp, which features both him boxing and sledding was issued three years earlier. However, Eddie’s stamp lacks the intimidation factor of Louis’.

3. Jackie Robinson - Naturally, Jackie has been featured on at least three stamps, which I believe has him tied with Babe Ruth for most by an athlete. However, as I can’t state loudly enough from the rooftops: I am not a stamp expert. I barely like them. I swear. The stamp is the iconic image of Robinson stealing home plate, and for that reason alone it gets the nod over the other two Robinson stamps.

2. Red Grange (2003) - Issued in 2003 as part of the USPS’ “Early Football Heros” series, Grange is this high on the list for one reason, and one reason alone. The look on his face. It says, “I’m the baddest motherf@#*er out here, so go ahead try me.” Respect.

1. Roberto Clemente (1984) - One of two stamps featuring Clemente, the 1984 20-cent version was among my collection. It commemorated what would have been his 50th birthday and was first issued in Puerto Rico, which was well represented on the stamp with a flowing Puerto Rican flag in the background. As a kid, you were taught of the story of Clemente’s death trying to assist earthquake victims in Nicaragua and he was an athlete parents didn’t mind choosing as a role model. Therefore, his stamp was a must.

Some guys have all the luck and others, well, they hate those guys. Jason Peters fits firmly into the latter category right about now.

Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters ruptured his right Achilles tendon a second time in a few weeks, but this time he was in his own home when it happened.

The five-time Pro Bowler was using a Roll-A-Bout – which is essentially crutches on wheels – when the device malfunctioned. As it broke, Peters fell on his face and re-injured his surgically repaired Achilles.

That just plain sucks. There’s no other word for it.

Peters initially ruptured his Achilles on March 27, and had surgery to repair the injury. He was hoping to return at some point during the 2012 season, but this second injury to the same tendon will put his career in jeopardy.

The 30-year-old stalwart left tackle has claimed he will sue the manufacturer of the Roll-A-Bout as a result of the accident. I would too.

It was a long-shot that Peters would have actually played in 2012, but now it’s almost certain that he won’t be back. The Eagles signed free agent Demetress Bell this offseason just in case Peters couldn’t make it back. Now there’s a chance Peters will never play again.

Unfortunately for those of us who love great television, the New York Jets have reportedly turned down a chance to reprise their role at the center of HBO’s training camp documentary show “Hard Knocks.” I’ll give you a moment to weep silently to yourselves.

Having the Jets on “Hard Knocks” this summer would have been a gift from God. The last time Rex Ryan’s team was featured (in 2010) it was easily the best season of the show. On top of that, so much has happened to the franchise in the intervening time that going inside Gang Green’s inner-workings would have been fascinating.

We all know the stories about the team’s locker room turmoil last season. And though Santonio Holmes and quarterback Mark Sanchez have reportedly kissed and made up, does anyone really believe that will last? Then the Jets gave Sanchez a completely undeserved extension to apologize for pursuing free agent quarterback Peyton Manning, before trading for Tim Tebow.

The Tebow-Sanchez training camp drama would be worth tuning in for on its own. But then there is superstar cornerback Darrelle Revis, who appears headed for another holdout, and, of course, the always intriguing Ryan.

I’m getting giddy just thinking about the prospect of seeing the Jets on the show again, but alas, it appears that won’t be happening.

The world will be a much more depressing place without getting to hear an update on Antonio Cromartie’s children. Especially since he’s got to have like, what, 47 by now?

Josh Beckett really isn’t helping himself these days. After word surfaced that he had been playing golf last week the day after he was scratched from a start thanks to back pain, Beckett needed to turn in a masterful performance in his Thursday night start at Fenway Park. He didn’t do that.

Beckett was blasted by the Cleveland Indians, and manager Bobby Valentine pulled him after 2.1 innings with the Red Sox trailing 7-1. The 31-year-old righty allowed seven runs (all earned) on seven hits, while surrendering two home runs and walking two batters. It was the second time in six starts this season that Beckett has given up seven runs.

The Red Sox went on to lose 8-3.

Beckett was lustily booed by the home crowd as he exited the game and was even taunted before he threw the first pitch of the night. He has clearly lost the support of the fans. His poor outing led to Boston’s 11th loss in its last 12 home games.

Beckett is making $15.75 million this season and is due $31.5 million combined over the next two years. For that load of cash the Texas native is just 2-4 and ranks 51st in the American League in ERA (5.97). His 26-to-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio ranks 27th, while his WHIP of 1.38 ranks 37th.

The Red Sox are now 12-19 and things aren’t getting any better for the team. Beckett has been awful this season and while there is plenty of time for him to turn it around, the fact that he comes across as a selfish flake isn’t helping matters. After the golf outing story broke, had he come out and thrown seven shutout innings it could have won him a reprieve. He didn’t do that.

On top of everything else, Beckett doesn’t look like he’s in great shape, his velocity is down and he doesn’t seem engaged at all this season. He just doesn’t seem to care all that much.

He is rapidly wearing out his welcome in Boston, but I’m not sure anyone would be willing to take on the three years and $47.25 million he’s owed on his contract. If general manager Ben Cherington wanted to move Beckett he would probably have to agree to eat a large portion of that deal.

Finally, someone answered the gauntlet that I raised a few weeks ago when I hoped some opposing fanbase would greet Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen dressed as Fidel Castro.

According to Chicago Tribune writer Paul Sullivan’s official Facebook page,the above-pictured group of Houston Astro fans were up to the task Tuesday night. They showed up in beard-and-beret garb to heckle Guillen, who infamously earned a suspension earlier this season by praising the dictator.

Unfortunately, the Astros had as much tolerance for these guys dressing as Castro as MLB did for Guillen speaking about him in a flattering manner. According to fan John Egbert’s Facebook page–he’s one of the faux-bearded fellows in the picture — security removed them from Minute Maid Park in the fifth inning after they were shown on television.

According to Facebook Egbert is a Purdue grad, so this move makes him the third-greatest Boilermaker ever behind Neil Armstrong and Drew Brees and slightly ahead of neck-bearded Kyle Orton. And that’s about it for the list of great Boilermakers.

But hey, some things in life are worth the ejection. And this has to be one of them.

The Boston Red Sox are struggling this season and if things continue on this path, they may be in a situation where they have to shed salary as the season goes on. One of those trade chips could be long-time third baseman Kevin Youkilis.

Will Youkilis injured, prospected Will Middlebrooks came up and has torn it up. In five games, Middlebrooks has hit .409 with three home runs, four doubles and nine RBI.

The 23-year-old Texas native seems to be the team’s future at third. With Adrian Gonzalez firmly entrenched at first base, it would appear that Youkilis, and his gimpy back, is a man without a roster spot.

The idea of moving Middlebrooks to the outfield so that he and Youkilis could play at the same time has been brought up. But Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington quickly shot that idea down, since the team really likes the rookie at third base.

There are several teams that could be in the market for a third baseman this season. The Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies could all use his services.

The Tigers would love to add a real third baseman, so they could rotate Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder at first base and designated hitter.

The Red Sox are a mess and they have a gigantic $173 million payroll that they need to start reducing.

Youkilis is 33 years old and is making $12 million this season. His contract has a $13 million team option for 2013, with a $1 million buyout. It is almost certain that the Red Sox won’t pick up that option. Therefore, there isn’t much of a reason to keep Youkilis around.

If you’re a fan of the New York Yankees, you may want to stop reading now because you’re about to get more bad news.

During a visit with surgeons on Monday, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera was supposed to set a date for his impending knee surgery. Rivera was expected to need surgery to repair his right ACL and meniscus, but according to his agent, the visit revealed some “complications.”

Things didn’t go smoothly when meeting with doctors and a date for the surgery has not been set, as Rivera will now confer with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and team doctors.

The fear was that the original diagnosis of a torn ACL and meniscus was wrong, and that Rivera also had a torn MCL. But a team official shot that speculation down.

Cashman wouldn’t reveal what the complications were but he did say he didn’t believe they would keep Rivera from returning in 2013.

Rivera hasn’t ruled out a return this season but that would be highly unlikely, especially now that there are complications that will hold surgery off for even longer.

A fantasy sports geek, I’ve pretty much proven I’ll do fantasy anything. Baseball, football, basketball, hockey, NASCAR, and yes, even soccer, both English Premier League and MLS.

It’s an infectious disease.

This year, I was invited to participate in a weekly golf pool where you pick one golfer a week with standings based on accrued prize money. You can only pick a golfer once a year.

It took me a few weeks to find my sea legs, being a casual (very casual) golf fan. But alas, 18 weeks into the season I’m sitting in third place and seem to have hit a purple patch of form. In fact, I’ve targeted the tournament winner in four of the last six PGA Tour events.

That’s right, I’ve identified the winner in four of the last six PGA Tour events. And if you’re patient enough to bear with me, I’ll give you a pair of long shots you may want to think about playing for this week’s PLAYERS Championship.

My formula is rather simple – past results on the course and current form.

My good run coincided with my degenerate gambling friend’s decision to tail my action with a bet on my pick for the Shell Houston Open (March 29-April 1). I told him I was going with Hunter Mahan (the only one of 30 in my weekly pool to do so). Mahan had 24-to-1 odds to win the tournament. And thanks to a Louis Oosthuizen final round choke job, Mahan won. My buddy pocketed more than $800 on a $50 bet. The bets get split 50-50 for win and to top-5. If you make a $50 bet, $25 of that goes to the win and the other $25 goes to top-5 finish at reduced odds. If he wins, you obviously win both bets. But the hedge is a nice safety net.

That was just the start.

April 5-8 – Masters Tournament: My buddy asked me to pick him another winner. I suggested Bubba Watson at 30-to-1. And then became adamant about the pick when my buddy said he was leaning Jason Day at 33-to-1. Despite making him bank the week before, he went rogue and picked Day instead. Bubba battled it out with my new favorite golfer, Oosthuizen, and wins the tournament. Jason Day pulled out after Round 1 with an injury.

April 12-15 – RBC Heritage Classic: I picked Jim Furyk in my pool, but decide not to make an additional wager on him because at 8/1 there’s no real value. I target Brian Davis (30-to-1) as a worthy risk for my additional wager. Furyk finished T8 and Davis, T13, three strokes shy of cracking the top-5.

April 19-22 – Valero Texas Open: I picked Charley Hoffman (30-to-1) in both my pool and made an additional bet with my e-Bookie. Hoffman finished tied for 13, and again I’m just three shots shy of getting paid.

April 26-29 – Zurich Classic of New Orleans: I picked Jason Dufner in my pool. My buddy asked if I want to throw down on an additional side bet, but I decided to take a week off after back-to-back near misses. But I instructed him that if he so desires, my pick was Dufner and at 25-to-1 to win, it would be a great play. Dufner, who had never won a PGA Tour event, wins the tournament. Oops. Opportunity missed.

May 3-6 – Wells Fargo Championship: Two names stuck out to me in my pre-tournament research: Rickie Fowler and Jonathan Byrd. Byrd was the runner-up at Quail Hallow a year ago, and had another top-5 there in 2009. Fowler had a 16th and a sixth place finish in his last two starts in the event, but I actually chicken out in my pool, and go with Phil Mickelson (three straight top-10s at the course). I come dangerously close to betting on both Fowler (40-to-1) and Byrd (66-to-1) as value plays and informed my roommate to do so. He balked. Fowler, who had previously not won a Tour event on American soil, WINS the tournament and Byrd finished T9.

So that’s four winners in six weeks (if you count Fowler, and I do because I had his name circled six times on my cheat sheet last week – ARGH!)

And my two misses (Hoffman and Davis) each finished tied for 13th and were three strokes shy of cracking the top-5. Meaning they were at least in contention and worth the risk.

I’m hot right now, so I’m going to ride it. And I suggest you do the same. In fact, at least five of my friends are making bets on this week’s PLAYERS Championship based on my suggestions.

So who do I like this week?

Well for my pool, I’m going safe with Lee Westwood. But as far as an additional wager, two names – two long shots – seem worth the risk.

J.B. Holmes at 80-to-1 and David Toms at 70-to-1.

I’m real big on Holmes. And apparently I’m the only one. His odds currently range from 110-to-1 to 80-to-1 depending on which site you use. Holmes finished tied for sixth last year at TPC Sawgrass, tied for 13th in 2010 and tied for 10th in 2008. Suffice it to say, he’s comfortable on the course. I would have liked to see him finish stronger last week at Quail Hallow (a final round 77 cost him some money), but he finished tied for 13th the week earlier in New Orleans and finished eighth at the Shell Houston Open (March 29-April 1).

Toms placed 15th last week at Quail Hallow, his best result since January, and has enjoyed previous success at TPC Sawgrass. He lost in playoff last year to K.J. Choi and tied for ninth at the course in 2009.

Now, of course at those odds, neither are really on anyone’s radar in what is a star-studded PLAYERS field. But, like I said, I’m feeling pretty good about my golf-picking game.

So come along with me for the ride. You’ll be glad you did.

(And if you’re so inclined follow me on Twitter at @CakesTakes.)

Back when I took my first sex ed class — near the end of fifth grade, if I’m not mistaken, though they clearly jumped the gun by several years when it came to me needing any knowledge of the subject — we were encouraged to anonymously submit questions to the teacher that might be too embarrassing to ask in public. Considering that Beavis and Butthead was the hottest new thing on television, it was probably no surprise then that one of my classmates submitted the query “How many wet dreams does it take to fill up a swimming pool?”

Years later, we finally have an answer: however many NHL commissioner Gary Bettman had dreaming of a Western Conference Finals matchup between Phoenix and Los Angeles back in the mid ’90s.

The Coyotes and Kings will be squaring off for the Clarence Campbell Bowl, the type of thing Bettman surely hoped to be seeing plenty of when he led the league’s great migration south in the Clinton years. One way or the other, some Sun Belt city will be represented in the Stanley Cup Finals.

If that’s not enough to raise Bettman’s sheets at night, the very real possibility of a New York vs. Los Angeles showdown for the Cup could be in the works. The Rangers are on the brink of eliminating Washington after Monday night’s win, and it increasingly looks as if they’ll be meeting the Devils in the Eastern Conference Finals.

If things work out that way, it’s double hog-heaven for the commish. Not only would the New York media play up the Devils-Rangers series, but it would be a reprise of what was arguably the most entertaining series in NHL history — the ’94 conference final between the Rangers and Devils that went to 7 games, three of which were decided in double overtime. Incredibly, New Jersey’s goalie from that series, Martin Brodeur, is still in the net.

Even if the Coyotes make the final instead of the Kings, there will be plenty reason for Bettman to be excited. Since the team is owned by the NHL, he is in the rare position of being able to award himself the Stanley Cup if they win it all. Now there’s a dream that was too wild to fill his swimming pool.