For the first time in what feels like forever, the Montreal Canadiens will step onto the ice at KeyBank Center without the crowd firmly in their corner. While you might spot a few patches of red in the stands, don't expect the overwhelming sea of Habs jerseys that became all too common during the Buffalo Sabres' 14-year playoff drought.

Back when the Sabres were struggling, season ticket-holders often sold their seats to make a quick buck—and Montreal fans were all too happy to snap them up. But those days are gone. The Sabres are back, and this time, the arena will be a sea of blue and gold. Most of the roughly 20,000 fans inside—and a few thousand more outside—will be proudly wearing Sabres colors when the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs kicks off Wednesday.

If you're expecting an old-school Adams Division slugfest, you might be disappointed. The days of blood-feud rivalries, where players genuinely despised each other, have faded. Michael Jordan's 35-year grudge against Isiah Thomas and the Detroit Pistons? That kind of animosity just doesn't exist in today's game. Even the Bills and Chiefs, who love to trade barbs in the stands, have a friendly relationship between Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. Jim Kelly and Dan Marino were cordial in the '90s, but you won't see a Bryan Cox-style walk down the tunnel anymore.

So why is this series different? Because Montreal and Buffalo might just have the two most passionate fan bases left in the playoffs. The Canadiens are the top franchise in Quebec, with a following that rivals the Bills in dedication. And while the Sabres play second fiddle to Buffalo's NFL team, they—along with the Minnesota Wild—might be the closest thing to Canadian-style hockey passion among American NHL teams.

The six-hour drive between arenas makes it easy for fans to travel. It's a lot simpler to hop in a car than board a plane for a Wednesday night game in Tampa. And let's be honest, while the Lightning have a strong following, hockey isn't the top sport in Tampa—and there's a lot more to do there this time of year.

So while you might not see a bitter rivalry, expect plenty of rowdiness. The passion is real, the stakes are high, and for the first time in years, the home crowd is firmly on Buffalo's side. Get ready for a series that brings the energy back to playoff hockey.