Boston College Men’s Hockey v. Northeastern: Final Thoughts and Predictions

Well Boston College was supposed to play Boston University last week, but that game got cancelled. Now the Eagles are expected to play Northeastern today. BC was supposed to play Northeastern a couple of weeks ago, but that game was also cancelled.

If you’re having trouble keeping track, I can’t blame ya.

It’s the world of COVID, and to the credit of Hockey East it is doing what it can to put together what semblance of the season it can. But it sure is confusing.

Nonetheless, tonight the Eagles take on the Huskies of Northeastern. Let’s break down the series.

What to Watch For

1. Offensively offensive: We mentioned last time that Northeastern was an offensive juggaurnaut. And, well, that really hasn’t changed. Northeastern is one of the best shooting teams in the country, which is basically a way of saying that they don’t let a lot of opportunities go to pass. Its possession numbers have gone down a bit but it is still about above average. The long and short of it is that Northeastern, offensively, can make lax defenses pay, and the Eagles blue line needs to be up to task. Certainly the Eagles can’t repeat what happened last Saturday against Connecticut when Spenser Knight had to face 39 shots on goal.
2. Staying out of the box: Part and parcel with the Huskies’ offensive prowess is their abilities on special teams. BC’s kill has, statistically speaking, been strong, and it will need to be up to snuff against one of the country’s best.
3. Better at Even Strength: The Eagles did not have the edge in possession at even strength—in fact on Friday the Eagles struggled against Connecticut. As we mentioned, Northeastern isn’t the possession team it was at the beginning of the year, but BC isn’t either, and it will need to be.

Random, Possibly Incorrect fact from Northeastern’s Wikipedia Page

Northeastern was founded as The Evening Institute for Younger Men at the Huntington YMCA.

Alcoholic Beverage of the Game

I’ve lost track of this year y’all. We’re switching to harder stuff.

Prediction:

I think BC ties Northeastern 3-3. I don’t feel confident at all about BC right now, and it is taking on Northeastern at the worst possible time.