Hockey East picks – Feb. 14-15

So last week Dave, in his words, pulled the goalie. While his effort gained him some ground on me, it was only one game. Thus, with no more picking left for his this season (he had successful season-ending open-heart surgery on Tuesday, for those who haven’t been following along), I take the title for game picked against one another.

To keep things interesting, though, I will spend the remainder of the season trying to finish with a better winning percentage than Dave. His is .637, which means I have to get about two out of every thing games right to cruise to victory. Last week, I was a whopping 4-6-1, which means this isn’t going to be as easy as it seems.

Dave last week: 5-5-1
Jim last week: 4-6-1
Dave to date: 123-65-24 (.637)
Jim to date: 127-61-24 (.656)

Friday, February 14

Merrimack at Maine
Jim’s pick: No way I am picking against Maine at Alfond.
Maine 4, MC 1

Notre Dame at Providence
Jim’s pick: Neither team has played great hockey of late, but I can’t see Providence losing at home after Tuesday’s home loss vs. UConn.
PC 3, ND 2

Massachusetts at Massachusetts-Lowell
Jim’s pick: No reason to bet against the River Hawks seeing as they’ve beaten the Minutemen twice this season.
UML 5, UMass 2

Boston University at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: Both teams are smarting after losses, so I’m going with home ice.
UNH 4, BU 3

Boston College at Vermont
Jim’s pick: There is something I love about Vermont right now, but I learned my lesson picking against BC on Monday.
BC 4, UVM 2

Saturday, February 15

New Hampshire at Boston University
Jim’s pick: UNH is the better team on paper, but BU better be inspired to play great hockey on Jack Parker night.
BU 3, UNH 2

Merrimack at Maine
Jim’s pick: Maine finished off the sweep easily.
Maine 5, MC 2

Notre Dame at Providence
Jim’s pick: I think the Irish can earn the split again this weekend.
ND 4, PC 2

Northeastern at Massachusetts
Jim’s pick: Though UMass handed NU and ugly loss last weekend, having Friday night off will make a difference for the Huskies.
NU 3, UMass 1

Boston College at Vermont
Jim’s pick: Again, just not picking against the red-hot Eagles team.
BC 3, UVM 2