Jim and I only differed on two games last week, and he was right both times. In fact, the only games he got wrong was Maine’s road upset at Lowell and Massachusetts upset of Providence.
Could he actually be smarter than me?
Dave last week: 7-4-0
Jim last week: 9-2-0
Dave’s record-to-date: 41-28-6
Jim’s record-to-date: 43-26-6
Here are this week’s picks:
Friday, Nov. 10
Boston University at Northeastern
Dave’s pick: The Huskies are quite simply playing better hockey right now. After beating BU in its own barn last weekend, 4-1, they should do more of the same back home.
NU 5, BU 3
Jim’s pick: I feel like BU will be ready for revenge in this one, but still don’t think I can go against NU at home.
NU 3, BU 2
UMass-Lowell at New Hampshire
Dave’s pick: If Lowell wins this one, it’ll be a sign that both teams are moving back to their expected preseason positions. Lowell, however, hasn’t been inspiring much confidence while UNH most definitely has.
UNH 4, UML 2
Jim’s pick: Lowell is better than its record indicates, but I agree with Dave, I’m not sure I can pick them in this one on the road.
UNH 3, UML 2
Boston College at Vermont
Dave’s pick: As noted in this week’s column, the Eagles appear to have turned things around. This looks like a road sweep to me, a difficult one, but still a sweep.
BC 2, UVM 1
Jim’s pick: I agree that BC is playing better, but so, too, is Vermont. I’m going with the hosts on night one.
UVM 4, BC 2
Bentley at Merrimack
Dave’s pick: I think the Warriors are much better than their 1-6-2 record, and Bentley’s 1-4-3 mark isn’t much better than Merrimack’s.
MC 4, Bentley 2
Jim’s pick: I agree with Dave here. I’m not overly inspired by the Falcons thus far.
MC 5, Bentley 2
Ohio State at UConn
Dave’s pick: In past years, I reflexively leaned toward Hockey East teams in nonconference play, but it’s hard to continue that practice. The results are the results, and they haven’t been pretty. UConn’s skid extends to 1-7-1 in its last nine.
OSU 4, UConn 2
Jim’s pick: This is a tough opponent for UConn, even at home. And while the Huskies have the horses, they just aren’t playing well enough for me to pick them right now.
OSU 4, UConn 2
Saturday, Nov. 11
New Hampshire at Boston University
Dave’s pick: BU has to turn it around at some point, doesn’t it? I’m going with the Terriers, but not with a great deal of confidence.
BU 3, UNH 2
Jim’s pick: The fact this game is at Agganis is the reason I feel okay picking the Terriers.
BU 5, UNH 3
Massachusetts at Providence
Dave’s pick: As I write this, these two teams haven’t faced off yet in their Thursday night tilt, but I expect this game to be the back end of a Providence sweep.
PC 4, UMass 1
Jim’s pick: And while Providence lost on the road on Thursday, there’s no way they’re falling at home.
PC 5, UMass 2
Northeastern at UMass-Lowell
Dave’s pick: Can Lowell’s passionate home crowd get the River Hawks back on track? I don’t think so, not against the high-flying Huskies.
NU 5, UML 3
Jim’s pick: This is the one upset I see. Lowell was very close to beating Northeastern a few weeks back and it should be a raucous crowd at Tsongas for their blue-out game.
UML 4, NU 3
Boston College at Vermont
Dave’s pick: A win here to finish off a sweep gives the Eagles their first winning record of the season.
BC 3, UVM 2
Jim’s pick: I’ll pick a split here making it a pleasant ride back down I-89 for the Eagles.
BC 4, UVM 2
Ohio State at UConn
Dave’s pick: I’d like to think the Huskies can salvage a split, but I’m afraid a loss here instead gives Hockey East a very ugly 0-8-0 record against the Big Ten.
OSU 4, UConn 3
Jim’s pick: In my mind, I’m hoping this won’t be a sweep for the B1G, but realistically I think it might happen.
OSU 3, UConn 2
