Previously, Chu and McAuliffe skated as centers on different lines. The shift moves Chu back to wing—the same position she excelled in while on last year’s first line with McAuliffe and Jennifer Botterill ’02-’03—posting 42 goals and 51 assists as a rookie.

“We took Lauren away from [Corriero] for the first part of the season because we wanted her to play center as well as Julie Chu,” Stone said. “But you have to go with chemistry, and they have great chemistry. Down the stretch of the season that’s what we’re going to go with.”

Corriero—who has played on and off with McAuliffe since freshman year—brings her league-leading points-per-game average of 2.39 to the line.

“Our playing styles, while different, complement each other nicely, as we have a great mix of hustle, playmaking and scoring ability coming from all three players,” Corriero said.

The trio’s chemistry and skill helps create one of the most potent offensive threats in the league.

Only time will tell how long and how effectively that threat will last.

—Staff writer John R. Hein can be reached at hein@fas.harvard.edu.