Hockey East picks – Feb. 13-14

Jim and I disagreed on three picks last week, but two of them were in the postponed Beanpot, so it all came down to just one. Guess who won? Heh, heh, heh.

Here are this week’s picks:

Friday, Feb. 13

New Hampshire at Boston University 
Dave’s pick: Will Friday the 13th be my downfall? I don’t expect that this safe pick will be the start of it.
BU 4, UNH 2
Jim’s pick: Especially at home, I think BU has a significant edge.
BU 4, UNH 1

Maine at Merrimack
Dave’s pick: The Black Bears have won three times on the road this year, a significant improvement over last, but Merrimack is 9-2-2 at the Lawler Rink.
MC 3, Maine 1
Jim’s pick: I think Maine will be a tough opponent for Merrimack this weekend, but as Dave mentions, the Warriors at home are dominant..
MC 3, Maine 2

Connecticut at Northeastern
Dave’s pick: UConn has been tough against the best of teams (last week’s blowout loss to Providence notwithstanding), but the Huskies, the Northeastern Huskies, that is, have lost only once since Dec. 3.
NU 3, UConn 1
Jim’s pick: I love UConn at home but this team hasn’t been anywhere near as strong on the road.
NU 4, UConn 2

Vermont at Boston College
Dave’s pick: The Catamounts have come back down to Earth in the second half, while BC has quietly gone 11-2-1 since early December.
BC 4, UVM 2
Jim’s pick: This BC team is red hot, bad timing for a Vermont team that struggles in Chestnut Hill.
BC 5, UVM 2

Providence at Notre Dame 
Dave’s pick: This is a huge weekend for both teams with a first-round bye likely in the balance. You’d think home ice could decide this one, but the Irish haven’t defended it very well while the Friars have done quite nicely (7-5-2) on the road.
PC 4, UND 3
Jim’s pick: At least on night one, I think Providence will be the stronger team.
PC 5, UND 3

Massachusetts-Lowell at Massachusetts (non-conference) 
Dave’s pick: I’ve been a believer in Lowell and a doubter of UMass, but recent results have put those stances to the test. I’m sticking with the River Hawks one more weekend. They played too well in the first half to continue this way.
UML 3, UMass 2
Jim’s pick: This one is the toughest of Friday’s games to pick. After the way UMass dominated last Saturday, I feel like it should be an easier pick given the game is again in the Mullins Center. But Lowell has typically been a strong team responding to losses. <tosses coin>
UMass 3, UML 2

Saturday, Feb. 14

Northeastern at Connecticut 
Dave’s pick: Northeastern sweeps the Battle of the Huskies.
NU 2, UConn 1
Jim’s pick: As I mentioned above, I just love UConn’s confidence at home. Especially if they lose on Friday.
UConn 3, NU 1

Vermont at Boston College
Dave’s pick: I’m picking another sweep here, especially with the game being held at Kelley Rink.
BC 4, UVM 2
Jim’s pick: I agree here. Tough second half for Vermont gets tougher.
BC 3, UVM 1

Maine at Merrimack
Dave’s pick: These two teams may have started the weekend tied in the standings, but the Warriors have played much better overall and it’s in their barn.
MC 3, Maine 2
Jim’s pick: Lawler Arena continues to be kind to Merrimack.
MC 3, Maine 2

Massachusetts at Massachusetts-Lowell
Dave’s pick: If the River Hawks are going to hold onto a first-round bye, they need the two league points (available Saturday) and for their confidence really need a sweep.
UML 4, UMass 2
Jim’s pick: Home cooking for the River Hawks should be enough.
UML 5, UMass 3

Boston University at New Hampshire 
Dave’s pick: The Wildcats have split every weekend except one since the holiday break, but BU has been too strong. The Terriers sweep.
BU 4, UNH 2
Jim’s pick: Even with this game in Durham, I can’t pick against this red-hot BU team.
BU 5, UNH 3

Providence at Notre Dame 
Dave’s pick:  A sweep will be huge for either team’s hope of a first-round bye; getting swept, devastating. I’m picking a Friar sweep even though the odds probably dictate a split.
PC 3, UND 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: This one feels like a barn burner. And given Notre Dame’s success on the second night, I think they will eek one out here.
UND 3, PC 2