If you’re Toledo Walleye head coach Dan Watson, you can look at your team’s shocking four-game sweep of the Indy Fuel in the ECHL Central Division Semifinals one of two ways.

On the plus side, it gave a veteran-heavy group a chance to rest and recharge their batteries as they awaited the winner of Wednesday night’s Game 7 between the Cincinnati Cyclones and Fort Wayne Komets. 

Less good? With his team not having played since April 27, his group may get a little rusty having been out of action for longer than they were at any point during the regular season.

“We gave our guys a couple days off after the Thursday win,” Watson told FloHockey via cell phone. “We did practice Monday and Tuesday, (Tuesday) was optional, but everybody was at the arena.

“Keeping the guys together, keeping them focused on the task at hand and worrying about that specific day and not thinking too far ahead is going to be key and crucial for us, then upping the level as practice goes on before we start Game 1 against whomever it may be.”

Let's hear it, Fish fans ⤵️

Do you think we'll play Fort Wayne or Cincinnati in the second round of the Kelly Cup playoffs? pic.twitter.com/Z207K9BhI4

— Toledo Walleye (@ToledoWalleye) May 2, 2023

Helping the coach most know better as “Watty” manage the situation is that aforementioned group, led by Brandon Hawkins and late returnee T.J. Hensick, who both have been in similar situations before.

“We communicate a lot, and that communication is a huge factor in our team,” Watson said. “From the coaches to the leadership group to the players, the coaches’ room has an open door. Anyone can come in and talk. I think we try to do this and plan each round as a group and what can be best for us, and those guys play a big part in that. They’re in the room and talking to guys away from the arena, too, knowing what they need and how they feel, so it’s important to make sure those lines of communication are always open.”

It is, in short, a good problem to have for the Walleye, who Watson says was able to blow by the Fuel by buying in defensively, strong play from their special teams and a stellar showing from their goaltending.

That latter aspect of the team has been something that’s been fascinating to watch unfold all season, with Detroit Red Wings first round pick Sebastian Cossa sharing the net with John Lethemon, who essentially played his way into an NHL contract with his Goalie-of-the-Year season with the Walleye.

Your Nick Vitucci Goaltender of the Year award winner...

JOHN LETHEMON ⭐

👉 https://t.co/hXsixayNvs pic.twitter.com/bqlSRrLdKf

— Toledo Walleye (@ToledoWalleye) April 20, 2023

Sharing the net is what helped Toledo get to this point, and Watson says that won’t be changing any time soon.

“We decided to go play them every other game,” Watson said. “Cossa will get the start against Cincinnati or Fort Wayne in Game 1. With Cossa, and the way he performed in the second half of the season with his maturity and development, he certainly deserves the opportunity to start games in the playoffs, but so does John Lethemon. Goalie of the Year in the ECHL, he certainly deserves to have some starts in the playoffs as well."

Simply enough, if the formula worked all season, there’s no reason to change things now. The two goaltenders will continue to alternate starts. Then, it comes down to managing practice and playing minutes and keeping them both fresh as the long series move along.

WATCH: ALL ACCESS -- Toledo Walleye Training Camp

Another good problem to have.

Less ideal? Having to wait for their opponent when it comes to making sure they’re as prepared as possible for their second-round series.

That wasn't as big of a problem as you may think.

“Not knowing who we’re getting, it has been challenging,” Watson said through a chuckle. “But, with a big staff – (assistants) Alden Hirschfeld, Brent Bain – we’ve been able to tackle both teams and making sure we’re prepared.”

After Cincinnati won Game 7 against Fort Wayne Wednesday, the Walleye now know they'll have an all-Ohio battle in the Central Division final with the Cyclones.

The plethora of division games through the year also is a benefit for the coaches because they have ample time to study teams, allowing them to learn player tendencies and other nuances for each team.

As they prepare for the upcoming series, they take a look at how the teams are playing, look for new trends and tactics and just use the opportunity to re-familiarize themselves with any previous notes.

Though they had to wait a long time for their opponent to materialize, just making it to the second round isn’t the goal for a team that made it all the way to the Kelly Cup Final last season, before falling to the Florida Everblades.

.@B_Hawkins17 notched two goals in our series-clinching win over Indy on Thursday 😤 pic.twitter.com/h6H2PIONeb

— Toledo Walleye (@ToledoWalleye) May 1, 2023

With Hawkins having dubbed this year a “revenge tour” early in the season, the six returning players remain very motivated by how 2022 ended and have instilled that into the surrounding core.

“I think the six guys that are still here realize how close of a team we had last year, and how special those feelings are to get to the final,” Watson said. “Looking back, I think our group felt we could win, but we ran into a really, really solid Florida team that ended up beating us. So, I think those six guys – especially ‘Hawk,” he’s an emotional guy who wears his heart on his sleeve and always has the best intentions – they really want to win a championship here in Toledo. There’s sort of that rallying cry for everyone in that room, that we were almost there and we were so close, let’s try and finish this thing off this year."

Yes, there are many steps and a lot of things that need to fall into place before that becomes a reality, but Watson is confident his team is prepared and focused. They have the right mindset. They’re dialed in and playing as a team.