Car-free zone outside Garden

The TD Garden will be rocking all weekend long as the Bruins and Celtics start their championship runs, and the streets outside the arena are sure to be electric, as well.

For the second straight spring, Canal Street will be turned into a “playoff hub,” with the road being transformed into a car-free zone for fans to gather before and during home playoff games.

The initiative, which tries to carry the intensity from inside the Garden to the outside, is part of Mayor Michelle Wu’s “commitment to reimagining Boston’s streets and transforming public space in a way that’s enjoyable for residents, small business owners, and visitors.”

“We’re thrilled to give Boston fans an opportunity with both the Bruins and the Celtics in the playoffs this year to come together safely, cheer on their favorite teams, and support our local businesses,” Wu said in a release.

Businesses around the Garden are hoping for long playoff runs from both teams as each win brings in more and more money, with championship games raking in as much as $5 million per contest, according to Meet Boston, the region’s primary tourism bureau.

Canal Street will close down on game days at noon and remain blocked off until one hour after the game ends. Parking regulations will be posted ahead of the Bruins’ Game 1 tilt against Toronto tonight, and vehicles in violation will be towed.

A similar scene will play out when the Celtics start their playoff run against last night’s winner between Miami and Chicago.

“There’s nowhere quite like TD Garden, especially on Celtics and Bruins game days,” Celtics President Rich Gotham said in a statement.