If the Maine men’s hockey team wants to make a third straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament, it’ll likely only be if the Black Bears can defend and win the league tournament.
Looking at Maine’s remaining schedule there are some points available to them to move up in the NCAA Power Index (NPI), but very likely not enough. Currently, the Black Bears (8-7-1) sit 40th out of the 63 Division I teams. You need to be in the top 16 in the NPI to grab an at-large bid. Maine is in a three way tie for fifth place in Hockey East with 14 points (5-5-0), and with no clear cut favorite if they can start playing better hockey in the last part of the season they would at least have an opportunity to try and defend their league title and earn the automatic bid. The last series of 2025 (vs Lindenwood) and the first series of 2026 (at Denver) are two good chances to improve on that NPI. Below are the remaining opponents and their current NPI rating-
December 10 vs UMass-Lowell (53rd)
Dec. 13-14 vs Lindenwood (17th)
January 2-3 at Denver (6th)
Jan. 9-10 at Providence (18th)
Jan. 23-24 at UMass-Lowell (53rd)
Jan. 31 vs Providence (18th)
February 6 at Boston University (33rd)
Feb. 13-14 vs UConn (20th)
Feb. 20-21 vs Merrimack (49th)
Feb. 27-28 vs Northeastern (12th)
March 7 at Vermont (48th)
