Hockey East picks: October 21-27

Plenty of upsets last week led to equally poor picks records for both Dave and me.

Jim last week: 6-6-1
Dave last week: 6-6-1
Jim’s record-to-date: 11-10-2
Dave’s record-to-date: 12-9-2

Here are this week’s picks:

Friday, October 21

Massachusetts at Boston College
Jim’s pick: BC rebounded nicely from last Friday’s hiccup and I would count on the Eagles to keep rolling.
BC 4, UMass 1

Dave’s pick: Have to agree with Jim. The Eagles and it won’t be close.
BC 4, UMass 2

Northeastern at Merrimack
Jim’s pick: Merrimack on home ice? Lately that’s been a no-brainer.
MC 4, NU 2

Dave’s pick: I’d take Merrimack here, home or away.
MC 3, NU 2

Minnesota-Duluth at Providence
Jim’s pick: The defending national champs may have a rough record early but they’re a better team than the Friars.
UMD 3, PC 1

Dave’s pick: The Friars are on pace for a 34-0 season! Break up the Friars!  Duluth is on pace to go 9-25! The Bulldogs stink! An easy choice.
UMD 4, PC 3

New Hampshire at St. Cloud State
Jim’s pick: Neither team has been explosive thus far, but I think home ice advantage prevails
SCSU 5, UNH 3

Dave’s pick: One UNH goal in three games? One goal? Total?
SCSU 2, UNH 1

Vermont at Minnesota
Jim’s pick: Early test for the Cats and it’s hard to believe they’re ready to beat the Gophers on the road.
Minnesota 6, UVM 3

Dave’s pick: The Gophers swept Duluth last weekend and enter the weekend 4-0.  By contrast, the Catamounts have only an exhibition loss to the U-18 team under their belts.  Uh-oh.
Minnesota 4, UVM 2

Saturday, October 22

Boston College at Northeastern
Jim’s pick: No upsets here. Eagles continue to fly.
BC 4, NU 1

Dave’s pick: Agreed. Eagles all the way.
BC 4, NU 1

Holy Cross at Boston University
Jim’s pick: AHA had its upset on Tuesday. Don’t see it happening at BU.
BU 4, HC 2

Dave’s pick: If this is an audition for the Crusaders joining Hockey East, they stay put.
BU 4, HC 1

Connecticut at Merrimack
Jim’s pick: See above. Merrimack rolls.
MC 5, UConn 1

Dave’s pick: A few years ago, this would have been close. Not anymore.
MC 4, UConn 1

Minnesota-Duluth at Providence
Jim’s pick: Night two will make for a tighter game, but still see the Bulldogs coming out on top
UMD 3, PC 2 (OT)

Dave’s pick: Yeah, it is strange predicting that the 1-3 team will sweep the one with a 2-0 record — and on the road, no less — but I’ve got to see a bit more from Nate Leaman’s crew before I believe.
UMD 3, PC 1

New Hampshire at St. Cloud State
Jim’s pick: Wildcats finally get off the schneid.
UNH 4, SCSU 3

Dave’s pick: I can’t believe that I’m picking the Wildcats to open the season 0-5, but their early-season trips to WCHA rinks have been unkind of late.
SCSU 3, UNH 2

Sunday, October 23

Vermont at Minnesota
Jim’s pick: It’s rare there is a night off in a two-game series as is the case here, but I don’t know if that will help the Cats.
Minnesota 4, UVM 3

Dave’s pick: The Gophers go to 6-0 while the Catamounts fall to 0-2. A tough trip to open the season.
Minnesota 5, UVM 2