Hockey East picks – December 2-8

Dave and I only differed on Vermont’s two games last week and the Cats’ split led to Dave and I posting identical records.

Jim last week: 7-4-0
Dave last week: 7-4-0
Jim’s record-to-date: 49-28-8
Dave’s record-to-date: 50-27-8

Here are this week’s picks:

Friday, December 2

Boston University at Boston College
Jim’s pick: I have to go the obvious route and pick home teams in the renewal of college hockey’s best rivalry
BC 4, BU 2
Dave’s pick: Earlier in the season I would have gone with a BC sweep. However, the Terriers are playing the more consistent hockey between the two teams right now so I’m this close to going with a sweep the other way. But not quite. Home ice rules.
BC 3, BU 2 (OT)

Merrimack at Providence 
Jim’s pick: This could be the upset of the week as I think Providence at home is an excellent team. Still, I’m not picking against Merrimack.
MC 3, PC 2
Dave’s pick: As I was reading Jimmy’s words (this week he wrote his picks first), I began salivating at the thought of him picking against the Warriors. Alas, he didn’t pull the trigger.
MC 4, PC2

New Hampshire at Massachusetts-Lowell
Jim’s pick: UNH is Lowell’s only ugly loss of the year. I think they’ll get revenge at home.
UML 4, UNH 2
Dave’s pick: I’m going to have to differ with Jimmy on this one. I covered that ugly loss for the River Hawks at UNH, so it’s hard to get the men vs. boys quality out of my mind.  The Wildcats have been maddeninly inconsistent so far this year, but I’m going with them even on the road.
UNH 4, UML 2

Maine at Vermont 
Jim’s pick: Convinced this will be a split, so I’ll play the odds as Vermont has been a better team on Saturdays this season.
Maine 5, UVM 3
Dave’s pick: I’ll agree with Jim on this half of the weekend series.
Maine 4, UVM 2

Northeastern at Notre Dame
Jim’s pick: The Huskies are playing well, but I don’t see them getting a win in South Bend.
ND 3, NU 1
Dave’s pick: Agreed. The Irish are just too tough.
ND 4, NU1

Harvard at Massachusetts
Jim’s pick: Even on the road, I think Harvard is the better team between these two.
HU 4, UMass 2
Dave’s pick: I hate going against another Hockey East team in a nonconference game, but I think the UMass winless streak goes to five.
HU 4, UMass 2

Saturday, December 3

Boston College at Boston University
Jim’s pick: Home teams sweep this series.
BU 5, BC 3
Dave’s pick: I’ll go with BU as well, but wouldn’t be surprised if either team sweeps or if both road teams win.
BU 4, BC 2

Providence at Merrimack
Jim’s pick: Friday was a difficult pick. Saturday, with Merrimack at home, not so difficult.
MC 6, PC 3
Dave’s pick: A no-brainer but not just because of Merrimack’s strength at home.
MC 5, PC 2

Massachusetts-Lowell at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: UNH gets back to the win column at home.
UNH 4, UML 1
Dave’s pick: The Wildcats complete the sweep.
UNH 5, UML 2

Maine at Vermont
Jim’s pick: Saturday night special once again for the Catamounts at home.
UVM 4, Maine 3
Dave’s pick: Nope.  Maine completes the sweep on the road.
Maine 4, UVM 3

Northeastern at Notre Dame 
Jim’s pick: NU needs the wins but Notre Dame isn’t the right place to get them.
ND 5, NU 2
Dave’s pick: Another no-brainer.  Can’t see this game being close.
ND 4, NU 1

Tuesday, December 6

Providence at Boston College 
Jim’s pick: The battle of Hockey East’s original Catholics goes, once again, to BC.
BC 5, PC 2
Dave’s pick: The Friars have made important strides this year but not enough to topple BC.
BC 4, PC2

Wednesday, December 7

Vermont at Merrimack 
Jim’s pick: Merrimack at home. This result feels a little redundant (and my pick obvious).
MC 6, UVM 2
Dave’s pick: The Warriors remain the lone undefeated club in the country and would do so at any venue.
MC 5, UVM 2