Now I realise these two sports are very different, and ice hockey is not to everyone's taste, especially those Aussies who find it difficult to follow the puck on TV. But it's a fast, exciting game, and if you've ever seen it live, you'll understand why I'm such a fan. With Fox Sports showing two, even three games live every day - compared to the spotty NBA coverage - I highly suggest taking a long, hard look at the NHL playoffs.

You want to talk drama? We're still in the first round, and we're already seeing some great theatre.

In the Western Conference, the first two games of the Vancouver/Los Angeles series went to overtime. Top seeded San Jose - a favourite to win the Stanley Cup - and eighth seed Colorado played three straight overtime games.

In the Eastern Conference, seventh seed Philadelphia has already bounced second seed New Jersey out of the playoffs, while sixth seed Boston has third seed Buffalo on the brink of elimination.

The bottom line is that no one has the faintest idea which two teams will eventually meet in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Contrast that with the NBA. Most people not only think Cleveland and L.A. will meet in the Finals, they want it to happen.

And while Chicago has stolen a game from Cleveland, and Oklahoma City surprised L.A., does anyone really think the Bulls or Thunder will win those respective series? That's the difference between the two. NBA fans hope and pray for upsets. NHL fans know they're going to happen.

Why does the NHL seem to have more intriguing post-season storylines? Here are five possible explanations:

1. The NHL is not as superstar reliant

The NBA loves its superstars. It's not the Lakers versus the Thunder, it's Kobe Bryant versus Kevin Durant. So come NBA playoff time - and especially crunch time - the role players step aside and let the big names take over. Sure mano a mano basketball is fascinating. It's also incredibly predictable. In the NHL, the superstars certainly play a part, but more often than not, a non-marquee guy steps up and becomes a hero.

2. Bizarre plays

Like soccer, one goal can change a hockey game dramatically. And like soccer, one bizarre slip up, one lucky bounce or one intervention from the "sports gods" and a series can be turned on its head. Already in this year's playoffs, we've seen San Jose defenseman Dan Boyle flip a puck into his own net and lose a game in overtime. We've also seen Buffalo penalised for too many men on the ice, a brain fade that led directly to Boston's winning goal in overtime.

3. The hot goalie

Again, like soccer, a seemingly-unbeatable goalie can exert a voodoo-like spell on attacking teams. Longtime NHL fans know this might be the biggest factor of all for post-season upsets.

4. Hockey referees get out of the way

The biggest criticism of NHL playoff officials is that they don't call any penalties in a close game or in overtime. I'll take that any day over the egotistical NBA referees who think playoff time means everybody's tuning in to watch them.

5. Playoff beards.

Ok, I know facial hair is hardly a technical way of assessing something. But put it this way: how many NBA stars would be willing to look like Travis Johnstone on national TV for a couple of months? With hockey players, you know it's only about winning. Sometimes with the NBA, I'm not so sure.

I'm not advocating a boycott of NBA games. It's still a tremendous sport with plenty of drama. But give the NHL a chance. Grab a cold beer and a donut, put "eh?" on the end of your sentences and enjoy the ride.