I get out of bed, leave on my pj's. phone in sick (just kidding) watch 3 horror movies in preparation, and then make sure to have the pvr set to the right channel so that I can just skip through all the commercials as I watch the game. I avert my eyes to the scarier moments in games or when Koskinen is in net. I've found this results in the least shock and pain as possible.
Last year I spent half the day biatching about why we're playing an opener in Sweden and against Taylor Hall and his Devils and life just ain't fair...
Then Kyle Palmeiri spanks our butts early and the game is over before it started.
Then I watch the Melvins and life is good again.