Although Harvard and Northeastern have not met since the Crimson bested the Huskies, 3-1, in the 2008 Beanpot opener, the two teams have played a similar schedule. Northeastern comes into tonight’s game after Saturday’s tough 2-1 loss to Providence, a team that Harvard beat by the same score on Jan. 30. But the Crimson can’t be too confident against its top-ten opponent.

“Just play our game,” Stone said of the game plan. “Play consistent, Harvard hockey, keep things simple.”

The Crimson views this game as both a key contest and an opportunity to prepare for the upcoming ECAC tournament.

“It’s a big game on a schedule of big games…We try to approach every game the same way,” Stone said.

While Harvard is making sure not to look beyond tonight’s game, the Beanpot provides a unique opportunity for the Crimson to play in high-stakes contests before the ECAC tournament commences.

“[The Beanpot is] a mini-tournament where every game matters,” Ryabkina said. “It’s good experience, especially for the freshmen, to see how it is to play that sort of game…This will really give us a push to understand how much every game matters. Everyone’s excited to play and win this game.”