Hockey East picks – Jan. 19-23

Jim picked up a game for the second week in a row. Time for a U-turn.

Here are this week’s picks:

Friday, Jan. 19

Boston University at Merrimack 
Dave’s pick: I feel like the parent of a petulant two-year-old, saying for the umpteenth time, “This is the last time, do you understand?” I’m this close to going with Merrimack’s home ice advantage, but for one last time I’ll believe in BU.
BU 3, MC 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: I am that petulant two-year-old who keeps picking BU despite belief that this team simply isn’t as good on ice as on paper. And yes, I’ll do it again.
BU 4, MC 2

New Hampshire at Maine
Dave’s pick: Maine bounced back nicely on Tuesday with a win over UMass, so I’m going to ignore last weekend’s sweep at the hands of Northeastern.
Maine 4, UNH 2
Jim’s pick: Before Halloween, I’d NEVER have considered picking Maine in this game, but seasons for both teams have headed in opposite directions since November.
Maine 3, UNH 1

Northeastern at Massachusetts
Dave’s pick: The Huskies have it all, and make it a 10-game undefeated streak.
NU 4, UMass 2
Jim’s pick: Right now, there is no good reason to pick against the Huskies. Both healthy and scoring, as long as the defense continues, count on NU to be among the Hockey East top for the rest of the season.
NU 4, UMass 2

UMass Lowell at Vermont
Dave’s pick: The River Hawks continue to be wildly inconsistent, but that’s better than the Catamounts.
UML 4, UVM 1
Jim’s pick: I don’t know what makes Lowell so inconsistent, but I also don’t know why Vermont isn’t a better team. The River Hawks definitely have an edge in this series.
UML 3, UVM 1

Saturday, Jan. 20

Merrimack at Boston University 
Dave’s pick: It would only make sense, the way BU has played this year, for the Terriers to win the tough one in Merrimack’s barn, then fail to take advantage of home ice one night later. But as I said above, I’ll believe one more time.
BU 4, MC 2
Jim’s pick: This is actually the BU game I feel a little better about. Home ice hasn’t always been an advantage, but Merrimack is 3-8-2 on the road.
BU 4, MC 1

UConn at Providence 
Dave’s pick: Assuming the Friars won on Thursday night, this sweep of UConn will extend their undefeated streak to eight games.
PC 4, UConn 1
Jim’s pick: I mentioned it above about Northeastern being right at the top the rest of the way. Add Providence to that short list.
PC 3, UConn 1

UMass Lowell at Vermont
Dave’s pick: If Lowell can have a 4-0, 0-4 split at Arizona State, the same thing can happen at Vermont. But I sure can’t pick that.
UML 4, UVM 2
Jim’s pick: I agree with Dave. I’d love to pick up a game with a miracle upset pick, but this isn’t the place to risk it.
UML 5, UVM 3

New Hampshire at Maine
Dave’s pick: Maine’s sweep extends UNH’s winless streak to nine.
Maine 4, UNH 1
Jim’s pick: I think this is a series that will be split. Whether UNH wins the second game, as I pick, who knows.
UNH 3, Maine 2

Massachusetts at Northeastern
Dave’s pick: UMass has taken great strides forward this year, and I expect even more in the years to come. This weekend, however, looks like a tough one.
NU 4, UMass 2
Jim’s pick: I think this will be a tight game, but do expect NU to prevail at home.
NU 4, UMass 3

Tuesday, Jan. 23

Massachusetts at Boston College 
Dave’s pick: After an idle weekend, the Eagles will have fresh legs to widen the margin of victory.
BC 4, UMass 1
Jim’s pick: I agree that BC will win, but think this will be a close game.
BC 3, UMass 2