No. 2 Boston College
Record: 23-10-3 (16-8-3 Hockey East)
Eagle Note: They’re 11-2-1 in their last 14 games, and they’ve scored at least five goals in seven of those contests.
How BC Wins: Boston College has been the league’s most dominant team down the stretch, and its offensive prowess is the major reason for that. The Eagles need to stay on point defensively, and they’ll have enough firepower to keep winning.

No. 3 Boston University
Record: 18-16-3 (13-12-2 Hockey East)
Terrier Note: They’ve advanced to the Garden for a record ninth consecutive year, and the Terriers’ quarterfinal series went to three games for a fourth consecutive time.
How BU Wins: Play consistently, especially in its own zone, and stay out of the penalty box (BU is second in Hockey East with 16.1 penalty minutes per game, and tied for fifth with an 81.2 percent penalty kill). The Terriers have the most postseason experience of any team in the field, and they’ve got enough talent to play with anyone.

No. 4 Maine
Record: 18-16-3 (13-12-2 Hockey East)
Black Bear Note: They scored a Hockey East-high 50 goals in the third period, but they’ve also surrendered a league-worst 46 goals in the final frame.
How Maine Wins: This team really has to compensate for its deteriorating situation in net, so Maine needs its power play to be great. The Black Bears have scored 58 of their 132 goals (43.9 percent) on the man advantage, and they lead Hockey East with a 27.9 percent power play.

No. 8 Vermont
Record: 17-13-7 (9-11-7 Hockey East)
Catamount Note: They’re the fourth No. 8 seed to advance to the semifinals in Hockey East’s 26-year history, but no eighth seed has ever reached the finals.
How UVM Wins: Goalie Rob Madore has played phenomenally and hasn’t allowed a goal in 135 minutes, 52 seconds. The Catamounts’ blue liners are big and physical, and they typically play well in front of Madore. They just need the timely goals that drove their 2009 postseason run.