Who could have imagined pro hockey in May in Western New York when the National Hockey League season began? As we’re all aware, it is an exciting reality.

A storybook year for the Buffalo Sabres marches on starting Wednesday night when the team opens the second round at home against the Montreal Canadiens. Buffalo dispatched a scrappy Boston team on Friday night to win the series — its first in 18 years.

This next round promises to be compelling. Montreal plays a lot like Buffalo. They are fast, use their defensemen for offensive rushes and have received great goaltending.

While Buffalo looks for its first major championship, Montreal may be playing for a country. Not since 1993 has a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup. That is when the Canadiens knocked off the Los Angeles Kings that included Wayne Gretzky.

Interestingly enough, based on the rendition of “O Canada” by Buffalo fans last week when the anthem singer’s microphone shutdown, there may be some up North with a soft spot for Buffalo. Here in the U.S., some say the Sabres have become America’s team.

KeyBank Center, which was quiet for so many years during the 14-year playoff drought, will be rocking again this week. Game One is Wednesday.