In fact, the Black Bears’ major weakness might be its defensive corps, and the Crimson forwards hope to take advantage.

“We feel we’re one of the best teams in the country with our offensive zone play,” Kolarik said. “We can exploit Maine’s defensive corps.”

Harvard hopes its newly installed aggressive forechecking system will continue to frustrate opposing defenses. Harvard has had more than 30 shots on goal in all eight of its games since switching to the more aggressive forecheck late last month. In the eight games before that, the Crimson hit the 30-shot mark just once.

Maine enters the weekend with a mild goaltender controversy. All signs point to Matt Yeats to starting in net for the Black Bears. Yeats was Maine’s top goalie the previous two years, but he has posted mediocre numbers this season, going just 5-7-3 with an .885 save percentage while giving up more than three goals per game. Yeats did play well in the Hockey East tournament, however, and he has an 11-3 career postseason record.

Sitting on the bench will be first-team All- Hockey East goaltender Mike Morrison, who likely will not play despite having a much better season. Morrison is 18-3-4 this year and ranks eighth in the country in both save percentage and goals allowed. Maine’s offense has also been far more productive with Morrison in net.

Harvard has no such goaltending questions. Freshman Dov Grument-Morris has played superbly in net since taking sole possession of the starting job following his 4-0 shutout of Union. Grumet-Morris has allowed just two goals a game since becoming the full-time starter, although he has yet to face a team as talented offensively as Maine in his college career.

Harvard has managed three consecutive overtime wins despite playing just three lines most of each game. Although there is a substantial talent gap between the Crimson’s top three lines and its fourth unit, Mazzoleni said the return of junior forward Aaron Kim from a shoulder injury should allow the fourth line to see at least limited action against a deep Black Bear team.

“Our fourth line has to keep the pace going and they can’t get scored on,” Mazzoleni said. “Maine’s fourth line is all freshmen, so our line should be able to compete against them.”

The Crimson has struggled against non-conference opponents this year, especially against Hockey East competition. Harvard was outscored 18-6 in four losses to BU, Northeastern and BC—all teams that finished behind Maine in the Hockey East tournament.

Mazzoleni, however, said the Crimson’s earlier results should have no bearing on tomorrow’s game.

“As crazy as it sounds, we’re a totally different team from February,” Mazzoleni said. “Right now we’re capable of beating anyone.”