Hockey East picks – Nov. 23-24

I’m thankful I enjoyed such a good picks record last week. I’m unhappy, though, that Jim did, too.

With this week’s slate of nonconference games, I’ll be surprised if we once again emerge with the same results.  Just too many unfamiliar teams to disagree on.

Here are this week’s picks:

Friday, Nov. 23

New Hampshire at Colorado College
Dave’s pick: I’m convinced the Wildcats will win. The only question is whether they’ll allow a goal.
UNH 2, CC 0
Jim’s pick: I like UNH in this one as well. Can’t say I’ll give them another shutout, but they should get past a reeling CC team.
UNH 3, CC 1

Colgate at Merrimack
Dave’s pick: Colgate has won two in a row and Merrimack has lost three straight, but I’m going to fly in the face of Big Mo.
MC 3, Colgate 2
Jim’s pick: Coin flip time. Came up tails, thus Colgate gets my pick.
Colgate 3, MC 2

St. Lawrence at Northeastern
Dave’s pick: Since upseting Boston College in the opening weekend of the season, the Huskies have beaten only Alabama-Huntsville.  The Larries have a four-game winless streak themselves and are on the road, but I’m giving them the nod, albeit without a great deal of conviction.
SLU 3, NU 2
Jim’s pick: Going to go against Dave here as well. I think St. Lawrence is a good team, but Northeastern is a better team than many think.
NU 4, SLU 2

Minnesota at Vermont
Dave’s pick: Yes, this game will be played in the Catamounts’ barn, but I’d be going with the Gophers even if it were played on Pluto.
UM 4, UVM 1
Jim’s pick: UVM had a nice home win last Sunday, but this is Minnesota we’re talking about here.
UM 5, UVM 2

Saturday, Nov. 24

Dartmouth at Boston College
Dave’s pick: This is another you-could-play-it-on-Pluto contest.
BC  4, Dartmouth 1
Jim’s pick: I think this will be a lot closer than Dave, particularly the fast start the Big Green has had.
BC 3, Dartmouth 2

Providence at Brown
Dave’s pick: The Friars have three losses in their last four games, but I’m going with them even on the road.
PC 3, Brown 2
Jim’s pick: The annual Mayor’s Cup game is always a big one. While I should go with the home team, I think PC is a little bit better.
PC 4, Brown 2

St. Lawrence at Boston University
Dave’s pick: The Terriers win this one going away.
BU 4, SLU 1
Jim’s pick: Agreed. Unless BU sleepwalks, they should take this game.
BU 3, SLU 1

New Hampshire at Denver 
Dave’s pick: The percentage play in this marquee matchup of the weekend is to go with home ice. After all, both teams are playing terrific hockey. The number two team in the country hosts number three.  But I’ve been too impressed by the Wildcats to let little things like 2,000 miles and high altitude sway me.
UNH 2, UD 1
Jim’s pick: Don’t like picking against UNH right now, but I think home ice will play enough of a factor that the Pioneers can come out on top (barely).
DU 3, UNH 2 

Quinnipiac at Massachusetts
Dave’s pick: UMass has played a number of frustrating close-but-no-cigar games against strong teams. Put away the lighter, because this looks like another.
QU 3, UMass 2 
Jim’s pick: Quinnipiac ruined my perfect week last week. Not making that mistake again.
QU 3, UMass 2

Princeton at Massachusetts-Lowell
Dave’s pick: The River Hawks put together back-to-back offensive outbursts.
UML 6, Princeton 2 
Jim’s pick: Lowell will win but the score will likely be closer.
UML 4, Princeton 2

Minnesota at Vermont

Dave’s pick: See previous note regarding Pluto.

UM 5, UVM 2

Jim’s pick: Cats fight hard, but still get swept.

UM 3, UVM 2