Today is the day that we, as hockey fans, both long for and dread.
It is a day where seven words, uttered in passing by a TV announcer who thinks he's doing us all a service, sends shivers up the spine - but also puts a pained look on the faces of others.
It will begin when two gentlemen - Mike Bolt and Phil Pritchard, representatives of the Hockey Hall of Fame - will put on their ties and blazers, get their collection of white gloves and polishing cloths ready, and carefully pull their precious cargo into the TD Garden in Boston.
After getting a table ready, they will unlock the trunk with its world-famous logo on it and gingerly, with loving care, lift the contents from its protective shroud and place it on said table.
A TV camera will probably catch Mr. Pritchard as he polishes this piece of ancient silver, and the clip will be shown before tonight's broadcast, and the seven words will be uttered:
"The Stanley Cup is in the building."
If you're a Blackhawks fan (and God help you if you are), those words bring anticipation and excitement.
If you're a Bruins fan, you hope beyond all hope that you'll hear those words again at least once more this year.
If you're a fan of one of the other 28 teams in the NHL, you're just about ready to say, "Let's get it over with."
Those seven words, however, are an indication to all hockey fans: the season could end tonight.
The Stanley Cup is in the building.