For months it was a dull ache. Now it’s a throbbing pain.

Most years, the middle of April feels like Christmas. It’s when the National Hockey League starts its playoffs, which means a nightly dose of intense battles on the ice that often last into the morning and produce thrilling conclusions.

I come from a family of puckheads, many of whom still aren’t in treatment. Umprompted, they’ll tell you everything from who finished second to Wayne Gretzky the year he put up 212 points (Mike Bossy) to who wrote "Brass Bonanza," the old anthem of the since-departed Hartford Whalers (Jack Say). My sister has more photos of Ron Francis than she does of her husband.

Of course, NHL players have been locked out since September. The season was cancelled in February and the bulk of sports fans treated it like they would a hangnail. They flicked it off and went on with their lives.

Those of us in the minority aren’t that lucky.

There’s hollowness, a feeling emptier than the FleetCenter after the first round. About the only solace is that playoffs in the American Hockey League - this season a minor league/big league hybrid - got underway this week, and will themselves play out over the next couple months, albeit without the national following and cable TV package.

The NHL playoffs are that drop-dead gorgeous blonde, the AHL playoffs her quirky friend. Instead of Buffy, we’re getting Willow.

So to make the best of a tough situation, and recognize that our own Manchester Monarchs are heading into the postseason with one of the league’s best teams, here’s an AHL playoff primer. It’s not the real thing, but it’s not that bad either.

Can the Monarchs win it all? Let’s try to get them through to the second round first. Manchester appeared in the playoffs in each of its first three seasons and lost its first-round series each time.

History aside, there’s no reason they shouldn’t make some noise. They have the AHL’s top goal scorer (Mike Cammalleri), enough other offensive weapons, and two goalies (Mathieu Garon and Adam Hauser) that rank among the best in the league.

Their formidable first-round opponent is Providence, which features both Bruins-in-waiting (Andy Hilbert), Bruins-in-limbo (Patrice Bergeron) and a power play that will force the Monarchs to be on their best behavior.

Who else do we care about? Jayme Filipowicz is a top-four defenseman for Providence. One of his former teammates at the University of New Hampshire, Eric Nickulas, has had an injury-riddled season with the Norfolk Admirals, who open up their first-round series in Philadelphia against the Phantoms on Friday.

Darren Haydar made his return to the Milwaukee Admirals last weekend after missing more than a month with a hairline fracture in his left leg. Before the injury, the 5-foot-9 former UNH star was on his way to his most productive season. He’s still racked up 50 points for the third straight season.

What’s the best reason to follow the Monarchs on the road in Providence? Free food. Anytime the Baby Bruins score first, fans can turn in their ticket stubs for a Wendy’s chili. If the B’s score four goals everyone gets free McDonald’s fries.

So it’s not Federal Hill. So what?

When do the playoffs end? Thanksgiving. In theory, it should take only a month-and-a-half to play four rounds, but the AHL loves slipping in a few four-day layoffs here and there, plus every round will have a series that goes the limit, stretching it out to the point where most sports fans will take only an academic interest.

With all kinds of time on their hands, NHL coaches, scouts and front office people will flock to these games like Deadheads. It’s also why you’ll see writers arriving at arenas 30 minutes earlier than normal. The supply of lasagna in the press room isn’t infinite.

Who are the most exciting players in the league? Binghamton’s Jason Spezza - the scoring champ and likely league MVP - is living up to the all the hype that accompanied him when the Ottawa Senators made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2001 draft.

It’s been a good year in the East. The No. 2 pick in the 2003 draft - Carolina’s Eric Staal - has electrified fans in Lowell, while All-Stars Cammalleri and Hilbert have fans in Manchester and Providence, respectively, singing their praises.

And speaking of singing ...

Which player on a playoff team has the best name? That would be Danny Bois, a forward for the Binghamton Senators. Hard to believe he ended up a left wing when you knew the pipes, the pipes were calling.

Enjoy the playoffs.