The regular-season is coming to an end and thanks to calling the Merrimack/Maine split correctly last weekend, I maintain my four-game lead over Dave with four weekends of play remaining.
Jim last week: 7-3-1
Jim to date: 165-59-36
Dave last week: 7-3-1
Dave to date: 161-63-36
The picks below are made according to series with each writer’s first pick referring to Friday and the second the pick for Saturday
Boston College vs. UMass-Lowell (Friday at BC, Sat at UML)
Jim’s pick: I think this series will be a split, so I will simply go the home-ice route here.
BC 3, UML 1; UML 3, BC 2
Dave’s pick: I’m going with a BC sweep. The Eagles have yet to lose in 2016, and though I think the River Hawks will give them a tough time, I see Lowell falling short.
BC 4, UML 2; BC 3, UML 2 (OT)
Vermont at Merrimack
Jim’s pick: These points are so crucial to each team’s home ice fate next weekend. I see another split, just not sure which way to go.
MC 4, UVM 3; UVM 4, MC 2
Dave’s pick: I going to go with another sweep where Jim has picked a split. Since the dawn of the new year, the Catamounts have only lost to Top 10 Hockey East teams – BC, Notre Dame, and Providence. So even on the road, I think they’ve got a great shot at a sweep.
UVM 3, MC 2; UVM 3, MC 2
Boston University at Notre Dame
Jim’s pick: Obviously the powers that be made up a pretty even schedule for the last weekend, as I’m picking another split.
ND 5, BU 3; BU 4, ND 3
Dave’s pick: I’m going with another sweep, this one dictated by home ice. I’d be picking differently if this were back at Agganis.
ND 4, BU 3; ND 4, BU 3 (OT)
Maine at Northeastern
Jim’s pick: This one might end up a split, but I can’t go against Northeastern the way it is playing right now.
NU 4, Maine 2; NU 3, Maine 1
Dave’s pick: No offense to the Black Bears, but I don’t think this will be close, especially on the road.
NU 4, Maine 1; NU 4, Maine 1
New Hampshire vs. Connecticut (Fri. at UNH, Sat. at UConn)
Jim’s pick: I was impressed with how UNH played last weekend against BU, but still think that is only good enough for a split.
UNH 4, UConn 2; UConn 2, UNH 1
Dave’s pick: Looks like I’m picking all sweeps this weekend. UNH has had its ups and downs, but I think they’re the better club, albeit by a slight margin.
UNH 4, UConn 2; UNH 3, UConn 2 (OT)
Providence vs. Massachusetts (Fri. at UMass, Sat. at PC)
Jim’s pick: This is the only series I see as an easy sweep to call. And even that statement isn’t overly confident this time of year.
PC 4, UMass 2; PC 5, UMass 2
Dave’s pick: I am going to be overly confident, although I sure hope that the Friars, fresh off their sweep of Notre Dame, don’t follow suit.
PC 4, UMass 2; PC 5, UMass 1
