By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff
1) No. 14 Boston College (14-8-2, 10-6-2)
The Eagles are five points behind conference leader UNH, and they’re just 4-5-0 in the new year, but they’re still the most talented and most balanced team in the conference. BC’s offense is tied for first in the league with 3.67 goals per game, its defense is second with a 2.62 goals-against average and its special teams are second with a plus-13 net. Junior Joe Whitney, junior Brian Gibbons and sophomore Cam Atkinson have combined for 4.83 points per game in six games since being put together on the top line.
2) No. 13 University of New Hampshire (13-8-4, 12-3-3)
The Wildcats are five points clear of the Hockey East field, and they’re 5-1-0 in their last six. Most people would probably put them first, but UNH comes in behind BC here for two major reasons. The first is that the Wildcats’ 1-5-1 record in non-league games can’t be ignored. If they falter at all down the stretch, that could very well prevent them from making the NCAAs as an at-large bid. The second is their mediocre special teams play –– they’re tied for sixth with a plus-2 net. BC is better equipped for postseason success.
3) No. 16 University of Maine (12-9-3, 9-6-2)
The Black Bears have lost just two games since Nov. 20, going 8-2-3 in that span. Not so coincidentally, those two losses were the only games sophomore goalie Scott Darling missed during that stretch. In conference play, Darling ranks second in goals-against average (2.39), second in save percentage (.916) and first in winning percentage (.769). Maine’s offense is tied with BC for tops in Hockey East, and its special teams rank first with a plus-15 net. Its 30.0-percent power play is the best in the nation.
4) No. 15 University of Massachusetts-Amherst (16-10-0, 11-8-0)
Talk about a Jekyll-and-Hyde team. The Minutemen are 6-5-0 since winter break. In their six wins, they’ve outscored their opponents 20-9. But in their five losses, they’ve been outscored 27-8. Still, UMass is tied with BC for second in the standings and ranks in the top five in offense (fifth, 3.19 GPG), defense (fifth, 2.96 GAA) and special teams (fourth, +7 net). Junior forward James Marcou is tied for first nationally in points (40) and sophomore linemate Casey Wellman is tied for second in goals (19).
5) No. 18 University of Massachusetts-Lowell (14-10-2, 8-7-2)
The River Hawks just can’t figure out how to stop sliding. Since being ranked No. 3 in the country on Nov. 23, UML has gone just 6-8-1 and fallen to fifth place. The offense has been the main culprit during the prolonged slump –– the River Hawks have scored two goals or fewer in all eight of those losses. What hasn’t been the problem is defense and goaltending. UML ranks first in the conference in defense (2.38 GAA), and senior Carter Hutton is tops in GAA (2.07) and save percentage (.928).
6) Boston University (10-11-3, 7-9-2)
After finishing the first half with a dismal 4-9-3 record, the Terriers have started the new year 6-2-0 and climbed to sixth in the conference. Their offense and defense still rank in the bottom half of the league, but their special teams are now third with a plus-9 net. The BU power play has quietly entered the top 10 in the nation (10th at 21.1 percent). Sophomore goalie Kieran Millan has been the key to BU’s turnaround, posting a 5-1-0 record, 2.50 GAA and .914 save percentage since the break.
7) No. 17 University of Vermont (12-9-3, 6-8-3)
No one should be surprised the Catamounts are tied for seventh in the standings, and no one should be surprised they’re only 2-3-1 in their last six games. That’s because UVM is a mediocre team at best, regardless of its national ranking. In conference play, it ranks eighth in offense (2.82 GPG), eighth in defense (3.29 GAA) and last in special teams (-11 net). All that said, the Catamounts still have a good chance of making the NCAAs because of their outstanding 6-1-0 out-of-conference record. Call them the anti-UNH.
8) Merrimack College (9-14-0, 6-10-0)
The Warriors are three points behind UVM and Northeastern for the eighth and final playoff spot, but they have games in hand and have won two of their last three after enduring a horrendous 1-10-0 stretch. Merrimack has the fourth-best offense in Hockey East (3.26 GPG), second-best power play (26.2 percent) and third-best penalty kill (82.3 percent). That power play is also good for second nationally. Unfortunately for the Warriors, they also have the worst defense in the conference (3.52 GAA).
9) Northeastern University (11-12-1, 7-10-1)
The Huskies are a respectable 3-3 in their last six games, but they still can’t score. They’ve averaged just 2.00 goals per game in that span, continuing a season-long problem. Northeastern is ninth in the league in offense (2.50 GPG). Special teams haven’t been too friendly, either. NU ranks eighth there with a minus-2 net. Freshman goalie Chris Rawlings continues to put together a solid rookie campaign, though. His .909 save percentage is good for fifth in Hockey East.
10) Providence College (9-15-1, 4-13-1)
Let’s start with the positive (note the use of the singular tense). Sophomore goalie Alex Beaudry is really good. He’s third in the league in GAA (2.67) and second in save percentage (.920). Now onto the negatives. Providence has lost five in a row and 11 of its last 13. It ranks last in offense (2.20 GPG) and is tied for ninth in special teams net (-8). In conference play, the Friars’ offense drops to a hideous 1.83 goals per contest. In its current 2-11 skid, PC has not scored more than three goals once.
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