No. 2 Boston University at No. 10 Denver

Friday at 7:30 p.m., Altitude Sports, 104.3 FM

Saturday at 7 p.m., Altitude2, 104.3 FM

Taking an early lead

After a small, two-game sample it appears playing from behind might be a problem for the Pioneers, whose offense hasn’t gotten on track yet (just three goals in two games). The other side to this is locking down on defense to start, and DU has the horses to do that if …

Playing Pioneer hockey

We saw this emerge during the third period against Boston College, when DU generated 23 shots. But there is more to it than just warming up the shooting gallery. “We’re focusing on getting the identity of our team,” defenseman Tariq Hammond told me this week. “That’s being hard to play against and executing our systems. We want to be playing on our toes and being the aggressor.”

Who steps up?

The loss of sophomore forward Dylan Gambrell, whom the Denver Post reported is having

Senior Matt VanVoorhis

surgery Friday for an upper body injury, is a big one because not only was he the Pioneers’ leading returning scorer, but he played heavy minutes in all situations. DU has several talented freshmen and sophomores who can backfill various top-six roles, but the bet here is some of the seniors step up. Defensemen Will Butcher and Matt VanVoorhis have been excellent so far. Center and jack-of-all-trades Matt Marcinew has a very good shot and is capable of carrying a bigger role on offense, and fellow forwards Brad Hawkinson, Evan Janssen, Evan Ritt and Emil Romig will be expected to pick up some slack. There will be plenty of attention on all of the NHL draft picks in this game but DU’s veterans have a big opportunity to break out.

Don’t call the police

At some point the Pioneers need a goaltender to steal a game for them, and with what should be an advantage in net, this is as good a weekend as any for either Tanner Jaillet, who is expected to start Friday, or Evan Cowley to do just that. BU freshman Jake Oettinger is a highly regarded 2017 NHL Entry Draft prospect, but he’s also 17 and playing on the road. Jaillet and Cowley know the drill.

Follow @MagnessMayhem for pregame, in-game and postgame developments all weekend