Montreal Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien, left, gives a few pointers to David Desharnais during a practice Monday, April 13, 2015 in Brossard, Que.Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press
The wait is over, but the nerves are only just building.
Given the recent past playoff history between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators, much could hinge on the opening game of their first-round series.
Both clubs have fresh memories of the rowdy, violent first-round encounter in 2013, according to Ottawa captain Erik Karlsson his club can get off on the right foot by embracing the raucousness of a playoff opener at the Bell Centre.
Much is made of the hostility opposing teams feel – and the Habs' 26 home victories in the regular season suggest there is something to it – but Karlsson said negative emotion is just as much a motivator as the warmer kind.
"I've always loved playing here, I rank this barn as probably the best in the league," Karlsson said.
Counter-intuitive as it may seem, Karlsson said the din that serves to pump up the Habs and their fans can also feed the opposition: "guys can really use that as motivation."
Maybe it's bravado, but it seems clear Ottawa isn't about to be cowed by facing a team that finished second in the Eastern Conference.
"I would say we're underdogs, but we still believe we can beat this team," Karlsson said.
Asked whether he'd had word from former Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson on the eve of the playoffs, Karlsson said yes, but that "he's been in Mexico for a couple of weeks, mostly we talked about that."
The slick Swedish defender will be a crucial cog in the Senator game-plan – Montreal defenceman P.K. Subban said recently that "they live and die" with Karlsson's attacking play – and clearly he's feeling good about his game.
And if the Sens have been a .500 team this year when playing on three days' rest (the Max Pacioretty-less Habs, by contrast have gone 8-1-1 in those circumstances) they have the wind at their backs after the stunning two-month march to the playoffs.
"I don't expect us to be tired, because we're winning," said Ottawa coach Dave Cameron.
The main message from Cameron to his charges has been maintain the composure and emotional balance they've displayed over the last 30 games and to prepare for a long series, "seven games, plus overtime."
"That way, if things don't end up going good early, you don't panic," he said.
As in any rivalry there are multiple levels to this match-up: the veteran Habs against the youthful Sens, Karlsson vs. Subban, Carey Price against Andrew Hammond, the Hamburglar.
Ottawa has the added motivation of playing for late assistant coach Mark Reeds, who passed away this week after a long illness.
"To see that, and to see Dave (Cameron) shook up that way, it wasn't fun for anyone," said defenceman Mark Borowiecki, who will play a shut-down defensive role with partner Eric Gryba.
Emotion takes on a disproportionate importance in the playoffs, the Senators have deep reserves of it to harness.