Dave has his rally cap on. Let’s see if he has enough to complete the comeback!
Jim last week: 7-2-0
Dave last week: 8-1-0
Jim’s record-to-date: 116-71-17
Dave’s record-to-date: 115-72-17
This week, we’ll pick all three games as if they are played. If a game three isn’t played, that pick doesn’t count. (All series Friday, Saturday, Sunday unless listed)
No. 7 Providence at No. 2 Massachusetts-Lowell (Thurs., Fri., If necessary: Sun.)
Jim’s pick: I think it is really difficult to beat a team four straight but at this point I also feel like Lowell and Providence are headed in different directions right now.
UML 5, PC 2; UML 3, PC 2; (if necc.) UML 5, PC 1
Dave’s pick: I can see Providence possibly stealing one game with Tim Schaller returning, but I’m still going with the River Hawks.
UML 3, PC 2; UML 4, PC 2; (if necc.) UML 4, PC 2
No. 8 Massachusetts at No. 1 Boston College
Jim’s pick: I realize UMass won twice against BC this year. Those games were both at UMass and long before the Eagles went on their current tear.
BC 4, UMass 1; BC 3, UMass 2; (if necc.) BC 5, UMass 1
Dave’s pick: No offense to the Minutemen, but I’ll be surprised if even a single game is close. BC looks that dominant.
BC 5, UMass 1; BC 4, UMass 1; (if necc.) BC 4, UMass 1
No. 6 New Hampshire at No. 3 Boston University
Jim’s pick: This is the one series I see the lower seed having an excellent shot. BU is playing poor, UNH is playing decent. Let’s see how far off I can be.
UNH 4, BU 3; BU 5, UNH 3; (if necc.) UNH 3, BU 2
Dave’s pick: I’ll disagree with Jim over how well these two teams are playing. UNH’s past five games include a weekend split with Vermont, a split with UMass, and a loss to Maine. That’s not good enough to knock off even the suddenly vulnerable Terriers. Kieran Millan will extend The Wildcats’ offensive woes into the offseason.
BU 3, UNH 1; BU 4, UNH 2; (if necc.) BU 3, UNH 2
No. 5 Merrimack at No. 4 Maine
Jim’s pick: This is my one pick that makes me the most nervous. I’m going with the Black Bears simply because of home ice. If this series is in Andover, I’m going the complete opposite, but I believe Maine can sweep here.
Maine 3, MC 2; Maine 2, MC 1; (if necc.) Maine 3, MC 1
Dave’s pick: Even though Merrimack has gone 4-0-1 in this head-to-head matchup dating back to last year’s quarterfinals, I like the way the Black Bears played down the stretch.
Maine 2, MC 1; Maine 3, MC 2 (OT); (if necc.) Maine 3, MC 2
