Come 5 pm on Tuesday, the Bruins and the other 30 teams in the National Hockey League will have their cap compliant rosters intact. Until then, nervous moments are ahead for many players on the cusp of a roster spot.

For some, like Malcolm Subban and Teddy Purcell, their journey has hit a roadblock. On Monday, Don Sweeney announced that they’ve placed Subban on waivers and released Purcell on his PTO. Though both had decent production in the preseason, the two had an uphill climb to grasp a roster spot with Subban having to pass Anton Khudobin for the team’s backup goaltender spot behind Tuukka Rask and Purcell needing to fight through the ranks of the talented pool of prospects itching their way to become a nightly contributor.

For others, like Danton Heinen, Peter Cehlarik and Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, a trip to Providence for some fine tuning to start their 2017-18 campaign(s) are necessary.

As for Jake DeBrusk and Rob O’Gara, well, they have survived another day. They’ve done all they can this preseason, but now it’s out of their hands as Sweeney, coach Bruce Cassidy and the Bruins front office ponder over their final decisions.

“A little bit of nervous energy, you know, but it’s good,” O’Gara said following Monday’s practice at Warrior Ice Arena. “We’re over in [the players’ lounge] over there and just trying to keep each other grounded and in in the moment, because we can only control what we’re doing at practice and what we do in the weight room and try not to worry about what might come next.”

Being in this spot isn’t anything new for DeBrusk and O’Gara. Both were on the cusp under Claude Julien a year ago. With a shorthanded D, O’Gara found himself in the opening night lineup against the Blue Jackets, while DeBrusk was sent to Providence to begin his first season of professional hockey.

One year later, the tables have turned a little bit. Both DeBrusk and O’Gara had a very good showing at training camp. Out of the duo, DeBrusk, who skated with the second line duo of David Krejci and David Pastrnak throughout the preseason, has the best chance of appearing on opening night.

Still, nothing is guaranteed for DeBrusk and improvements need to be made whether he starts the season in Boston or Providence.

“It’s one of those things that I’m really nervous for,” DeBrusk, with a little sigh of relief, said, “but, you know I’m talking to you now, so I’m still here.”

“I think I’ve shown a lot of things that I can do,” DeBrusk, who was held scoreless this preseason despite some solid outings, added. “I think there’s a lot of room for improvement. It is just the preseason, but I think I showed a lot and I think I showed some good qualities that I have in the four games that I played. You know, I think there’s still more [to do] and that I can do better.”

Including injuries, the Bruins roster sits at 26 – 15 forwards, nine defensemen, two goaltenders. With Torey Krug out, the number is 25.

One of O’Gara, Matt Grzeclyk or Paul Postma will fill in for Krug against the Predators. Barring any setback, DeBrusk will get an opening night nod as well. Either Austin Czarnik or Sean Kuraly will likely be joining Heinen in Providence.

The clock is ticking and the nerves are only intensifying for the rest of the young Bruins that are hoping to be listed on the roster at TD Garden on Thursday night.