Let’s kick off the picks in Hockey East so that I may defend my title against Dave. Maybe he can keep it a little closer this year.
Friday, October 6
Connecticut at Maine
Jim’s pick: This could be a compelling series to start the season because it is being played in Orono. I think I’ll take the hosts on opening night.
Maine 4, UConn 2
Dave’s pick: Although Alfond has been a bit of magic for the Black Bears, I’m going with the better team.
UConn 3, Maine 2
New Hampshire at UMass Lowell
Jim’s pick: It’s difficult to image the Wildcats winning this one, but there are concerns on where Lowell’s goal scoring with come from. Still, not picking against the defending champs at home.
UML 3, UNH 1
Dave’s pick: I think the Wildcats will have a tough time keeping it close.
UML 4, UNH 1
Massachusetts at Arizona State
Jim’s pick: Let’s see if a couple of high NHL picks can make a difference for this UMass team.
UMass 3, ASU 2
Dave’s pick: Arizona State swept this series last year on the road. This year, it’s at home, and I’m also betting it improved more than the Minutemen.
ASU 4, UMass 2
Quinnipiac at Boston College
Jim’s pick: Part of me thinks BC is ranked right now on reputation. They get a chance out of the gate to prove people wrong.
QU 3, BC 2
Dave’s pick: The 13th ranked team vs. the 14th. I’ll go with some home ice magic.
BC 3, QU 2
Merrimack at Colgate
Jim’s pick: This two game series on the road for Merrimack is a challenging start. I’m feeling split here.
MC 4, ‘Gate 3
Dave’s pick: I’d go with a Merrimack sweep if this were at home. I’ll stick with the Warriors on opening night.
MC 3, ‘Gate 2
Providence at Miami
Jim’s pick: Let’s see how high-flying this Providence offense will be right out of the gate in an NCHC battle.
PC 5, Miami 2
Dave’s pick: Unless Miami is markedly improved over last year’s squad, this won’t be close.
PC 4, Miami 1
Sacred Heart at Northeastern
Jim’s pick: Slow starts have plagued the Huskies in recent year. Hopefully that’s not the case this year.
NU 4, SHU 1
Dave’s pick: Those surprising early-season upsets can’t happen to the Huskies again this year, can they?
NU 3, SHU 1
Colorado College at Vermont
Jim’s pick: CC played some teams tough last year, but there’s no reason to think UVM isn’t a big favorite at home.
UVM 5, CC 2
Dave’s pick: CC was 8-24-4 last year. UVM 20-13-5. No contest.
UVM 4, CC 0
Saturday, October 7
Connecticut at Maine
Jim’s pick: It is almost impossible for me to think this will be a sweep either way.
UConn 5, Maine 2
Dave’s pick: I’m going with the UConn sweep, even on the road.
UConn 3, Maine 2
UMass Lowell at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: Different location but should be a similar result.
UML 4, UNH 3
Dave’s pick: Agreed. Lowell is just too good.
UML 4, UNH 2
Massachusetts at Arizona State
Jim’s pick: A two-game sweep on the road would be a great start for UMass.
UMass 4, ASU 2
Dave’s pick: I’m going with the sweep the other way.
ASU 4, UMass 2
Merrimack at Colgate
Jim’s pick: Like I said, this one feels like a split.
‘Gate 5, MC 3
Dave’s pick: It probably is a split, but I’m still sticking with the Warriors.
MC 3, ‘Gate 2
Providence at Miami
Jim’s pick: Game two will be closer, but I think PC earns a sweep.
PC 3, Miami 2
Dave’s pick: I don’t know if it gets closer, but I agree the PC sweeps.
PC 4, Miami 2
Sacred Heart at Northeastern
Jim’s pick: I expect to see a lot of Huskies goals in this series
NU 7, SHU 3
Dave’s pick: The Huskies show they’re clearly the better team.
NU 4, SHU 1
Colorado College at Vermont
Jim’s pick: Catamounts put a stake in the ground right out of the gates.
UVM 3, CC 1
Dave’s pick: Vermont does indeed come flying out of the gates.
UVM 4, CC 2
Sunday, October 8
Boston University at Quinnipiac
Jim’s pick: BU continues its tough schedule to start. They passed the test last weekend against Union. Expect them to do the same this week.
BU 4, QU 2
Dave’s pick: I, too, love the Terriers in this matchup.
BU 4, QU 2
