Hockey East picks – Nov. 3-9

Now that non-conference play is mostly behind us, it’s time to get into the deeps of the Hockey East schedule. Hopefully Dave and I can put forth better performances.

Jim last week: 6-6-1
Jim to date: 34-24-6
Dave last week: 6-6-1
Dave to date: 34-24-6

Friday, November 3

Merrimack at Boston College
Jim’s pick: Both of these teams have struggled to this point, but I think BC has played the more difficult schedule. There should be better times ahead for the Eagles.
BC 4, MC 2
Dave’s pick: Agreed. And it doesn’t hurt that it’s on BC’s home ice.
BC 4, MC 2

Providence at Boston University
Jim’s pick: I like the way PC is playing right now, but I’m not sure that BU will lay an egg on home ice after losing twice a week ago.
BU 3, PC 2 
Dave’s pick: I’ve been picking the Terriers since day one, but they’ve only won a single game in their last six. Right now, the Friars are the better team.
PC 3, BU 2

Vermont at Connecticut
Jim’s pick: Hard to figure which team is better right now. UConn is coming off a shellacking at Miami, which makes me think they should be hungry.
UConn 4, UVM 2
Dave’s pick: Neither team has had much success so far this year. Vermont is in a 1-4-1 stretch while for UConn it’s 0-4-1. That usually means home ice is the deciding factor, but I’m going with the road Catamounts.
UVM 3, UConn 2

Maine at UMass Lowell
Jim’s pick: Given the way each team is playing, I should be picking Maine. But I think Lowell can turn this around this weekend.
UML 4, Maine 3
Dave’s pick: Lowell’s play has been disappointing to be sure, but I’ll just rely on that old saw that Maine can’t win on the road.
UML 3, Maine 2

Saturday, November 4

Northeastern at Boston University
Jim’s pick: I like the way NU is playing right now. Who knows when that will change, but I’m going Huskies on the road.
NU 4, BU 3
Dave’s pick: I’m going with the Huskies, too, until BU lives up to its hype.
NU 4, BU 3

Boston College at Merrimack
Jim’s pick: This could be a much needed sweep for the Eagles.
BC 4, MC 2
Dave’s pick: If the Warriors are going to pick up points on the weekend, it’ll be back at home, but I think they’ll fall just a bit short.
BC 4, MC 3 (OT)

Vermont at Connecticut
Jim’s pick: The Catamounts will find a way to split this series. Not sure if I call it opposite of how it happens. But I like the Cats on day two.
UVM 5, UConn 3
Dave’s pick: I like Vermont to sweep on the road.
UVM 3, UConn 2

New Hampshire at Massachusetts
Jim’s pick: I like the way UMass is playing to start this season but I *love* the way UNH has started.
UNH 3, UMass 1
Dave’s pick: I can’t go against the Wildcats at this point.
UNH 3, UMass 2

Maine at UMass Lowell
Jim’s pick: This should be a much needed home sweep for the River Hawks.
UML 5, Maine 2
Dave’s pick: Agreed. In the preseason, I thought these two teams would be at polar extremes. Here’s where the separation begins.
UML 4, Maine 1

Tuesday, November 7

Connecticut at Boston College
Jim’s pick: If this game were in Hartford, I’d go Huskies, but I’ll pick BC for the third straight game given they are home.
BC 3, UConn 2
Dave’s pick: Agreed and for all the same reasons.
BC 3, UConn 2

Thursday, November 9

Providence at Massachusetts
Jim’s pick: The Friars keep rolling, even on the road.
PC 4, UMass 2
Dave’s pick: UMass has improved but not enough to take this one.
PC 4, UMass 3