Instead of 0-3 in the final series and the requirement to win four straight matches, the duel is significantly more unpredictable.
A new, powerful public support awaits in the final 4 on Tuesday - when AIK gets the chance to equalize the series to 2-2 in matches.
Djurgården, with their fans behind them, went ahead to 2-0 in matches after tightly contested games.
On Easter Day, it was the AIK supporters' turn to fill the Hovet, the arena shared by the clubs.
It's a bit more fun than it has been. I hope it gives us a lot of energy and that everyone thinks it's inspiring to play in front of such a crowd, said AIK coach Roger Melin to TV4 play before the first drop.
A few minutes later, he had anything but fun. Djurgården excelled in play with a numerical advantage and Marcus Krüger scored the first goal of the match just 3.16 minutes in.
Goals and Match Penalties
Before the first period was halfway through, 41-year-old Patrick Thoresen, who hadn't played since the first meeting with Södertälje in the semifinal series, presented himself.
The veteran scored 2-0. Shortly after, he received a match penalty and AIK got a numerical advantage for five minutes. The referees thought Thoresen made a head tackle on Daniel Muzito-Bagenda. Thoresen had a different opinion
He has a responsibility for his own safety when he has the puck. It's straight in the chest, he says to TV4 play about the tackle.
Gerry Fitzgerald reduced immediately and AIK got in touch - only to lose it again a minute later, when Krüger counterattacked to 3-1.
"Don't Panic!"
Fitzgerald wasn't finished. He pinpointed another puck in the crossbar and a new reduction before Djurgården became full-strength.
Lukas Zetterberg could hardly come closer to an equalizer when his shot hit the inside of the post and out.
We have a job to do, we must come back. Keep calm, don't panic, says Fitzgerald.
Zetterberg finally got the puck in, to 3-3 at the beginning of the third period - and suddenly the match was completely open.
6.33 into the fourth period, Oscar Nord sent in the winning puck on Zetterberg's pass.
Fantastic. Really nice. It wasn't easy today. We play a pretty mediocre match over 60 minutes. I don't know if it was a bit of nerves that haunted us, says Nord to TV4 play.
