The good news is that I played Comeback Kid last week, going 6-0 on Saturday after a disastrous 0-5 Friday. The bad news is that I lost a game to Jim in the process.
Dave last week: 6-5-0
Jim last week: 7-4-0
Dave’s record-to-date: 114-63-22
Jim’s record-to-date: 118-59-22
Here are this week’s picks:
Friday, Jan. 31
Boston College at Providence
Dave’s pick: In this marquee match-up of the weekend, I’m picking BC. I’m going with the Eagles against all comers until further notice.
BC 4, PC 2
Jim’s pick: This should be a tight game but the way Providence gave up goals last weekend, I’m not sure that will be true.
BC 5, PC 3
Merrimack at Massachusetts-Lowell
Dave’s pick: Will the River Hawks get any of their walking wounded back? For one game, at least, it won’t matter. They’ll win either way.
UML 4, MC 2
Jim’s pick: I think this will be a tough game for the shorthanded River Hawks, though believe they can win.
UML 2, MC 1
Boston University at Massachusetts
Dave’s pick: It’s hard to see either of these teams avoiding the bottom-six, one-game play-in round of this year’s Hockey East playoffs. Tough times for both teams. I’ll go with home ice deciding this result, leaving BU 0-9-0 on the road.
UMass 4, BU 3
Jim’s pick: Can this finally be BU’s road win? They have been a better Friday team than Saturday of late.
BU 3, UMass 2
Notre Dame at New Hampshire
Dave’s pick: By far, the toughest picks this week are this series. Call me stubborn, but I still see the Irish putting on a stretch run surge. I think UNH will lose a game it would have won with Trevor van Riemsdyk and Grayson Downing in the lineup.
ND 3, UNH 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: I’m picking the Wildcats at home, at least on Friday.
UNH 4, ND 3
Saturday, Feb. 1
Notre Dame at New Hampshire
Dave’s pick: This series really has split written all over it, but I’m going with an Irish sweep even though I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Wildcats do the deed instead.
ND 4, UNH 3 (OT)
Jim’s pick: I just don’t see a sweep in this game, as Dave said.
ND 3, UNH 1
Massachusetts-Lowell at Merrimack
Dave’s pick: I’d love to make this call after I saw who was in the lineup because Merrimack is a tough opponent in its barn. I’m guessing that two of the River Hawks injured last week are back and Lowell earns an important sweep.
UML 3, MC 2
Jim’s pick: As great as Merrimack has been at home of late, Lowell has always played Merrimack tough at Lawler.
UML 3, MC 2
Monday, Feb. 3
Beanpot
Harvard vs. Northeastern
Dave’s pick: Have I ever picked Harvard to win in the Beanpot? Even a single game? Perhaps not, in which case I thank the Crimson for fattening up my lifetime picks record.
NU 5, HU 2
Jim’s pick: On paper this says NU all the way. But we know that never matters in a Beanpot. Still, I’m picking the Huskies.
NU 4, HU 3
Boston University vs. Boston College
Dave’s pick: This is about as lopsided as me versus a drumstick on Thanksgiving. The Terriers may have historically used their Beanpot magic in contests like this, but they’re 1-8-1 since the start of December and BC stands atop Hockey East at 11-1-1.
BC 5, BU 2
Jim’s pick: What Dave said.
BC 6, BU 3
