Hockey East picks – Jan. 30 – Feb. 4

I was pretty mediocre last week, but that’s just fine and dandy because Jim was… um, awful. Heh, heh, heh.

Here are this week’s picks:

Friday, Jan. 30

Massachusetts-Lowell at Merrimack 
Dave’s pick:  Here’s a match-up of two suddenly struggling teams. The River Hawks have lost four of their last five, and the Warriors are 0-2-1 in their last three. The safe play would be to go with the home team each night in this home-and-home series, but I think Lowell turns it around. That River Hawk PK scares me, however.
UML 4, MC 3
Jim’s pick: If I was making this pick a month ago, I would agree with Dave. But right now I don’t see an edge between either of these teams so I’m letting home ice decide.
MC 3, UML 2

Providence at Boston College
Dave’s pick: This is the first super-tough pick in a week loaded with them. Once again, I’m going against the safe pick, which is to go with BC at home. The Friars have been playing very well, and perhaps the Eagles will be looking ahead to Monday.
PC 2, BC 1 (OT)
Jim’s pick: And I am going with the safe pick. If both teams play as well as they each have of late, fans should be in for a great game.
BC 3, PC 2

Massachusetts at Boston University
Dave’s pick: Thank God for an easy pick. On paper, this should be a blowout. I think paper becomes reality.
BU 5, UMass 1
Jim’s pick: UMass has been playing some decent hockey at home this season. Well, this game ain’t at home kids.
BU 4, UMass 1

Connecticut at Maine
Dave’s pick: Another tough one, but the Black Bears have been heating up and it’s in their barn.
Maine 2 UConn 1 (OT)
Jim’s pick: Yeah, I like the way Maine has been playing at Alfond. That should be the tipping point.
Maine 3, UConn 1

New Hampshire at Notre Dame 
Dave’s pick: Notre Dame isn’t even .500 at home and will be without top scorer Robbie Russo the whole weekend. That’s made me go back and forth, but I can’t see the struggling Wildcats winning this one on the road.
ND 4, UNH 3
Jim’s pick: Russo’s absence makes this entire series a toss up as he has been a major piece of Notre Dame’s offense. (Throw dart a bulletin board)
ND 3, UNH 2

Saturday, Jan. 31

Merrimack at Massachusetts-Lowell 
Dave’s pick: As poorly as the River Hawks have been playing, I’m picking them to sweep. They’re too good to stay down for long.
UML 4, MC 2
Jim’s pick: This should be the night UML gets back to winning ways.
UML 3, MC 1

New Hampshire at Notre Dame
Dave’s pick: This sweep could easily go the other way. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jim picks up two on me in just this series.
ND 3, UNH 2
Jim’s pick: To pick up two on Dave, I’d have to disagree. And on this game, I do. Don’t see UNH coming away empty.
UNH 3, ND 2

Penn State vs Vermont
Dave’s pick: A month ago, this would have been an easy choice: Vermont. But with the Catamounts going 1-5-1 in recent games along with the  Brody Hoffman suspension, I’m losing faith.
PSU 2, UVM 1
Jim’s pick: I have concerns but am not losing faith in the Catamounts.
UVM 3, PSU 1

Sunday, Feb. 1

Maine at Connecticut
Dave’s pick: The Huskies come back in a big way to earn their split.
UConn 3, Maine 1
Jim’s pick: Another tough weekend of travel for UConn. And it wasn’t pleasant for the Huskies the last time (a 6-1 loss to Notre Dame on back end of a home-and-home). I’m factoring that into my pick.
Maine 4, UConn 2 

Monday, Feb. 2

Beanpot

Harvard vs Boston University 
Dave’s pick: A year ago, these two teams were a collective 20-38-8. Now they’re ranked number two and four in the country. Wow. Give me the Terriers.
BU 4, HU 3 (OT)
Jim’s pick: Get out the drafts again. This one is just too difficult for me to pick. I’m going with the fact BU is playing better of late.
BU 3, HU 2

Boston College vs Northeastern
Dave’s pick: With how well the Huskies have been playing, this is an exceptionally tough choice. Give me the reigning champs in the second deadline-killing overtime of the evening.
BC 3, NU 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: This is the year of the wide-open Beanpot, right? Then why are we both picking another BC-BU final?
BC 4, NU 2 

Wednesday, Feb. 4

Providence at Connecticut
Dave’s pick: Providence’s road toughness comes through in a very tough game.
PC 2, UConn 1
Jim’s pick: I know I picked against Providence on Friday at BC, but this Providence team is really clicking right now.
PC 4, UConn 1