< 24 hours!

Can you feel it? I mean, really? Does that question even apply anymore? The reality of it is if you're reading this blog, you're super-saturated in everything that is Blueland. For a few minutes (hopefully an evening!), the predictions are thrown out the window. All questioning regarding the Baby Thrashers (enter Little, Sterling, Enstrom, and Popovic) is silenced. The pressure that's weighing on the newcomers' shoulders (i.e. White, Perrin, Thorburn, Klee) is lifted. Every little minute (well, that's debatable) detail that's been brought up over the off-season will be forgotten.

The only thing that will matter, for a matter of minutes, is that the '07-'08 Thrashers are taking the ice for the first time. The scene within the Arena will be electric.

And then, before you know it, THAT takes a backseat to remember what was accomplished last season - Southeast Division Champions. A banner will rise to the Philips Arena rafters in the name of the Atlanta Thrashers. Finally, a Widespread Panic banner will take a backseat and hopefully get buried in future accolades of the Legends of Blueland. This will be a great start to something fantastic for this franchise.

Once again, fans will lose it. Tears will simultaneously fight with celebratory yells to the heavens, all in the name of victory, in the name of one cause, one team - our Atlanta Thrashers.

What was brought up today by Stan over at Hockey Buzz was a dedication for Dan Snyder, who passed away four years ago. Hopefully this will be addressed, and it really should be. A couple of big milestones in the history of the Thrashers will coincide for one evening and I really feel that one would not happen without the other. Sure, division titles might've occurred with Snyder still in the lineup, but they never would've been as significant as this title. It's really like tomorrow will be reason enough to celebrate his life and his heart and his passion for the hockey he played, the organization he played for, and the city he called his home. I'll never forget the day I heard about the tragedy and Dan will always live on in the hearts and minds of Thrashers fans, players, and hockey supports all over.

We'll never forget you, Dan, and we know that you still play a tremendous role in the team we support.

Regarding the actual game tomorrow night, it's going to be a battle. The Caps are nothing to take lightly. We all know that the Caps love to play spoiler and Friday night should be no exception. You take that, the unspoken rivalry between Ovechkin and Kovy, and the brawls and you've got one hell of a matchup. Washington has possible rookie phenom Nicklas Backstrom and new center Michael Nylander - we all know that they have something to prove in their new roles with their team. And you better believe that AO wants to erase all memories of his "off" year last season. What better time to start a new campaign than game one, right?

The Thrashers better have their A-game. We learned last season that, down the stretch, there are no "gimme" games in terms of relaxing/coasting/etc. Every game matters. Every game should feature everything on the line for the most success possible.

Two points or nothin'. That's what the Thrashers should have on their minds tomorrow evening. Forget about the critics who are denouncing them. Forget about the last four games. Forget about attempting repeat performances and winning big in April. We need to focus on the now.

I absolutely cannot wait for the game. I'll get there super early and be right by the Thrashers bench for the warmups, cheering for each and everyone of 'em as they take the ice. There's no holding back for the Thrashers and there's no holding back for myself or any other believer in Blueland.

I'll be in 317, row E. Come and say hey! I'd love to meet new fans. I've always been hesitant about it but now I know I'm part of a community. I'd love to meet each and every one of you and discuss our common bond, the Thrashers.

My jersey's ready. My Blueland scarf is out. My blue shoes will be worn ALL DAY. My tickets will stare me in the face for hours once I get off work tomorrow afternoon.

Seriously, let's get this started already!

LET'S GO THRASHERS!

Do you believe?! Because you better!