Hockey East picks – Nov. 16-20

That which I receive, I giveth back. Very useless week for me.

Here are this week’s picks:

Friday, Nov. 16

Merrimack at Boston College 
Jim’s pick: Let’s keep this simple… I’m not betting against BC right now.
BC 4, MC 2
Dave’s pick: Agreed 100 percent. I won’t even think about picking against BC for another couple of weeks. (Hint: a home-and-home with BU.)
BC 4, MC 2

Massachusetts at Maine
Jim’s pick: As good as I feel about UMass, I also think Maine gained some confidence, so I’ll go with the Black Bears.
Maine 3, UMass 2
Dave’s pick: I’m not overjoyed about going with UMass on the road, but Maine needs to win more than just one game to convince me.
UMass 2, Maine 1

Northeastern at Providence
Jim’s pick: Two wins for the Huskies are a good sign, but I’m taking the home team.
PC 3, NU 1
Dave’s pick: If Northeastern’s two wins last weekend had been over a more formidable foe than Alabama-Huntville, I might be picking differently.
PC 3, NU 2

New Hampshire at Massachusetts-Lowell
Jim’s pick: Lowell has been a good home team in the last couple of years, but UNH seems like the read deal.
UNH 5, UML 2
Dave’s pick: I don’t think it’ll be that easy for the Wildcats, but they will win.
UNH 4, UML 2

Boston University at Vermont
Jim’s pick: I love the way Vermont is playing but also not picking against BU right now. Solid team.
BU 3, UVM 2
Dave’s pick: Agreed.  For now, I see BU as the third of the league’s top three teams, but that’s enough to defeat the Catamounts even on the road.
BU 4, UVM 2 

Sunday, Nov. 18

Northeastern at Vermont
Jim’s pick: I think Northeastern will be hungry, but the Cats will be as well at home.
UVM 4, NU 2 
Dave’s pick: I agonized over this pick and fear I’m going with way too many road teams this week, but I’m still going with the Huskies.
NU 3, UVM 2

New Hampshire at Boston University 
Jim’s pick: There are a lot of difficult picks this weekend, but I think this is the toughest by far. I’m actually going with UNH by a single goal (could be OT).
UNH 4, BU 3 
Dave’s pick: Until proven otherwise, I see UNH as the league’s second best team.  (Ummm, if you have to ask who I’m pegging as number one, you ain’t been paying attention.)
UNH 3, BU 2

Massachusetts-Lowell at Massachusetts 
Jim’s pick: I really want to pick UMass at home but also think Lowell can get up for this game.
UML 4, UMass 2 
Dave’s pick: Do the River Hawks start playing like the team we thought they’d be way back in the preseason? If so, when? Right now, there are more questions than answers.
UML 2, UMass 1

Tues., Nov. 20

Vermont at Massachusetts 
Jim’s pick: Think home ice could be the deciding factor in this game.
UMass 3, UVM 2
Dave’s pick: Catamount fans may be wondering when I’m ever going to pick for their team. Call it a hangover from last season.
UMass 3, UVM 1

Quinnipiac at Providence 
Jim’s pick: Good measuring stick for the ECAC here. I’d like to think Hockey East is better.
PC 5, QU 2 
Dave’s pick: Believe it or not, Hockey East currently stands 1-3 against the ECAC. Granted, all three losses can be laid on Maine’s doorstep (much like a cat leaving a dead mouse), but I wouldn’t be surprised if the good guys fall to 1-4.
QU 3, PC 2