Hockey East Picks: Feb. 3-9

Yet another mediocre weekend of picks for Dave and me. Guess that’s a product of how tight this league is.

Jim’s last week: 5-4-0
Dave’s last week: 5-4-0
Jim’s record-to-date: 81-60-13
Dave’s record-to-date: 84-57-13

Friday, February 3

Boston University at Merrimack
Jim’s pick: Even though I rarely pick against Merrimack at home (though did last weekend and paid for it), I can’t see BU losing three straight before the Beanpot.
BU 4, MC 3
Dave’s pick: I’m going with the Terriers as well even though their games leading into the Beanpot always worry me. Last weekend’s sweep at the hands of the Black Bears plus the tight Hockey East standings combine to keep the focus away from Monday night’s festivities until after this game.
BU 4, MC3

Massachusetts at Northeastern
Jim’s pick: UMass continues futility on the road.
NU 5, UMass 3
Dave’s pick: Agreed. This will make it 0-9-2 for the Minutemen away from the Mullins Center.
NU 4, UMass 2

Vermont at Massachusetts-Lowell
Jim’s pick: Hard to pick against Lowell at home right now.
UML 4, UVM 2
Dave’s pick: It’s hard to pick against the 16-7-0 River Hawks and even harder to pick for the 5-19-1 Catamounts. The venue is overkill.
UML 5, UVM 2

Providence at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: Two struggling teams, but I think UNH is playing better hockey right now.
UNH 4, PC 3
Dave’s pick: I’d like UNH is a close game on neutral ice. At the Whitt, this goes solidly in the Wildcats’ favor.
UNH 4, PC 2

Alabama-Huntsville at Maine
Jim’s pick: If Maine plays anything like it has been, this is a walk in the park.
Maine 5, UAH 1
Dave’s pick: Black Bear fans haven’t been too happy with my picks this year. How about this one?
Maine 52, UAH 0

Saturday, February 4

New Hampshire at Providence
Jim’s pick: I’ve been picking (incorrectly) New Hampshire all season. For some reason, though, I feel this time I am right.
UNH 3, PC 2
Dave’s pick: I’m going to disagree here. While UNH feels like the slightly better team, the Friars are 8-5-2 at home and the Wildcats are 2-8-2 on the road.
PC 4, UNH 3

Merrimack at Massachusetts
Jim’s pick: As solid as UMass has been at home all season, I have to go with the Warriors here.
MC 3, UMass 1
Dave’s pick: I was disappointed to see Jim’s pick because I hope for a few disagreements. I, too, am going with the Warriors, who are 6-2-2 on the road. UMass has only the one home loss all year (that coming last weekend), but I just like the Warriors more even on a sheet quite different from theirs at home.
MC 3, UMass 2

Vermont at Massachusetts-Lowell 
Jim’s pick: River Hawks improve to an impressive 9-1-0 at home with a weekend sweep.
UML 4, UVM 3
Dave’s pick: Unfortunately, it’s now play-out-the-string time for the Catamounts.
UML 4, UVM 2

Alabama-Huntsville at Maine
Jim’s pick: Maine keeps rolling over the Chargers
Maine 4, UAH 2
Dave’s pick: Okay, so it won’t be 52-0, but it also won’t be close. The Chargers drop to 2-26-1.
Maine 5, UAH 1

Monday, February 6

Boston University vs. Harvard (60th Beanpot, at TD Garden)
Jim’s pick: I’m going to go against conventional wisdom here.
HU 4, BU 3 (OT)
Dave’s pick: You’d have to put a gun to my head to get me to pick the Crimson in this one. Even then, I’d need proof that it’s loaded.
BU 4, HU 2

Northeastern vs. Boston College (60th Beanpot, at TD Garden)
Jim’s pick: My picks return to Beanpot convention in the nightcap
BC 4, NU 2
Dave’s pick: Jim was right in this week’s column that it’s would be a great thing for the Huskies to take the Beanpot. However, BC finally put two wins together last weekend for the first time since Dec. 6 (and only the second time since Nov. 4), so I’m going to believe that the Eagles have finally reverted to the early-season form that impressed me so much.
BC 4, NU 2