BOSTON -- Good evening from Matthews Arena on the campus of Northeastern University where the host Huskies (7-11-2, 4-9-2 Hockey East) are in desperate need of league points entering the opening half of a weekend series against No. 12/15 UMass-Lowell (13-7-1, 7-6-1 Hockey East).

Despite NU's 2-4-1 record since Dec. 1 and UML's opposite nine-game win streak, the teams are separated by five points in the conference. The River Hawks are just three points below home ice positioning.

Here are the lineups:

UMASS-LOWELL

Shayne Thompson - Riley Wetmore - Adam Chapie
A.J. White - Michael Colantone - Derek Arnold
Scott Wilson - Stephen Buco - Terrence Wallin
Michael Fallon - Joseph Pendenza - Josh Holmstrom

Zack Kamrass - Chad Ruhwedel
Joe Houk - Christian Folin
Daniel Furlong - Jake Suter

Doug Carr (7-6-1, 2.67, .905)
Connor Hellebuyck
Brian Robbins

NORTHEASTERN

Kevin Roy - Mike McMurtry - Vinny Saponari
Steve Morra - Braden Pimm - Cody Ferriero
Robbie Vrolyk - Garrett Vermeersch - Adam Reid
Ben Oskroba - Zak Stone - Ryan Belonger

Drew Ellement - Dan Cornell
Mike Gunn - Josh Manson
Dax Lauwers - Colton Saucerman

Bryan Mountain (0-4-1, 3.15, .908)
Chris Rawlings
Derick Roy

Additionally, here is a preview of the weekend series from UML head coach Norm Bazin, courtesy of radio voice Bob Ellis:

Joshua Kummins covers Hockey East for SB Nation. Follow him on Twitter @JoshuaKummins.