Both teams come into the series playing well. Harvard has just one loss in its last 11 ECAC games, while Yale is 4-1-1 in its previous seven contests.

But the Bulldogs have historically struggled mightily at Bright, where the Crimson leads the all-time series, 30-4-3. On the whole, after being ranked No. 1 in the country for much of last year, it has been a disappointing, up-and-down season for Yale.

Harvard, on the other hand, has surpassed all preseason expectations. After being picked to finish dead last in the ECAC media poll, the Crimson ended up third, thanks in large part to a power play that ranked second in the nation.

Harvard has won seven of its last 10 ECAC quarterfinal series but fell at Dartmouth in the quarters last year. This time around, fresh off a rest Everson says was vital for getting the team healthy, the Crimson can advance to the ECAC semis in Atlantic City by toppling the Bulldogs.

“It’s the Yale-Harvard rivalry, which always carries a little more depth to it,” Everson said. “Add in the fact that it’s playoffs, do-or-die, it makes it even more intense and exciting.”

—Staff writer Scott A. Sherman can be reached at ssherman13@college.harvard.edu.