Hockey East picks – Nov. 14-20

Okay, it’s time to stop the bleeding. Over the last three week’s Dave has begun a run of domination that needs to be stopped right now. I’m only three games back, but if the bleeding doesn’t get  stopped soon it could be a disaster.

Jim last week: 7-5-2
Jim to-date: 47-24-7
Dave last week: 9-3-2
Dave to-date: 50-21-7

Friday, November 14

Notre Dame at Merrimack
Jim’s pick: The Warriors are proving that Lawler continues to be a difficult place to play. But that’s still not enough for me to pick against Notre Dame, particularly with the Irish hungry after being swept at Minnesota.
UND 4, MC 2
Dave’s pick: I, too, am going with the Irish. They win their first road game.
UND 3, MC 2

Vermont at Providence
Jim’s pick: This might be the toughest series of the weekend to pick. My gut says it is going to be a split, but knowing which team will win each night is difficult. No particularly reason, but I’ll go with the home team on night one.
PC 3, UVM 2
Dave’s pick: I’ve belatedly become a believer in the Catamounts, but I started the season believing in the Friars. It’s time for their record to better reflect their play.
PC 3, UVM 2

Boston University at Maine
Jim’s pick: Similar to Merrimack, Maine has defended home ice well. But I still think BU is a step above the Black Bears.
BU 5, Maine 3
Dave’s pick: Home ice isn’t enough to slow down the 5-1-1 Terriers.
BU 4, Maine 2

Northeastern at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: Neither team has played to well at this point, but at least New Hampshire has found the win column a few times.
UNH 3, NU 1
Dave’s pick: In the preseason, I thought both of these teams would finish at least in the middle of the pack. Instead, they have a single league point between them. When teams struggle, go with home ice.
UNH 2, NU 1

Boston College at Michigan State
Jim’s pick: At lot of this matchup depends on the health of goaltender Thatcher Demko. With him, BC wins. Without him, I’m not so sure. I’m going to bet on him getting back to health after battling a viral infection.
BC 2, MSU 1
Dave’s pick: Could the Eagles actually lose a fifth straight game? I just can’t believe it.
BC 2, MSU 1

Sacred Heart at Connecticut (at Watertown, Conn.)
Jim’s pick: I get nervous picking against Sacred Heart sometimes when they play Hockey East teams. But I think UConn will beat this in-state rival.
UC 4, SHU 2
Dave’s pick: UConn’s win over BC and tie with BU opened my eyes. Wide. Very wide.
UC 4, SHU 1

Penn State at Massachusetts-Lowell
Jim’s pick: Penn State is hot out of the gate, but Lowell is hotter. And at home.
UML 4, PSU 1
Dave’s pick: Even if Penn State is 5-1-2, Lowell will be 7-1-2.
UML 3, PSU 1

Saturday, November 15

Notre Dame at Merrimack
Jim’s pick: May pay for picking against Merrimack at home, but I have to take that chance.
UND 3, MC 2
Dave’s pick: This is a very tough call, but I’m going with Notre Dame and a road sweep.
UND 2, MC 1

New Hampshire at Northeastern
Jim’s pick: Northeastern will get in the win column eventually. But I can’t pick that happening this weekend.
UNH 4, NU 3
Dave’s pick: I’m not sure what to make of the Huskies, but they’re going to have to win at least one game before I pick them.
UNH 3, NU 2

Vermont at Providence
Jim’s pick: Here is the split pick that I know I will regret.
UVM 3, PC 2
Dave’s pick:  This isn’t an intentional Four Corners Offense to protect my lead. I’m sooo tempted to go with a Providence sweep, but I’ve doubted Vermont too much this year.
UVM 2, PC 1

Penn State at Massachusetts-Lowell
Jim’s pick: It will be closer in the second game of this series, but I think Lowell can sweep.
UML 3, PSU 2
Dave’s pick: I don’t even think it will be close.
UML 4, PSU 1

Tuesday, November 18

Rensselaer at Connecticut
Jim’s pick: I can’t figure out RPI this season. And thus, I’m going with the Huskies at home.
UC 3, RPI 2
Dave’s pick: UConn can’t really be this good, can it?
UC 2, RPI 1

Thursday, November 20

Massachusetts-Lowell at Notre Dame
Jim’s pick: Another really tough series that I feel may be a split. I have an entire week to think about how I’m going to pick the second game of the series. But for game one, I’m going with the River Hawks.
UML 3, UND 2
Dave’s pick: I suppose the percentages say to go with Notre Dame at home, but the River Hawks have looked too good and the Irish have been too inconsistent.
UML 4, UND 3 (OT)