Frozen Four: Boston University's Keys to Victory

Boston University has already won two titles at the TD Garden this winter and is shooting for the most significant championship of all this weekend at the 2015 Frozen Four. Standing in the Terriers' way is Dave Hakstol's North Dakota club, the NCHC regular season champion and the highest remaining seed in the tournament. Puck drop is set for 8:37 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

3 Keys to Victory

• BU's young defense has to play its game and do what it does best, but it also needs to avoid some of the risky decisions that have plagued the blue line in recent weeks. BU's defense skates as well and transitions as well as any defense in the country, but it needs to avoid turnovers and play comfortably. Whether it was nerves or not over the last few games there have been some uncharacteristic turnovers and sloppy decisions with the puck.
• Boston University has been a third period team all season long. North Dakota's worst period on paper has been the final frame of regulation. If the Terriers can keep it close and play solid from the get-go, one has to like their chances in the final 20 minutes of regulation. BU has outscored opponents, 68-25, in the third period while North Dakota had their worst scoring margin in the third.
• This one might be the most obvious, but let Jack Eichel be the best player on the ice. There is no player in the Frozen Four with as much God-given ability as the projected No. 2 pick in this summer's NHL Draft. Quick puck movement and moving around in the offensive zone should allow Eichel to create the time and space he needs to make things happen with the puck that very few other people can.

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Jeff Cox covers college, junior, high school and prep hockey, NCAA recruiting and NHL Draft prospects. Follow him on Twitter @JeffCoxSports.