Denver vs Boston College Hockey Prediction & Picks: Eagles Seek First Title Since 2012

Denver and Boston College have both had outstanding seasons, but only one can take home this season’s NCAA Division I men’s hockey title. Who will triumph in today’s championship contest at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota (6:00 pm ET, ESPN2/ESPN+)?

The Pioneers (31-9-3), the #3 overall seed, are in the championship game after defeating #2 overall seed Boston University 2-1 in overtime on Thursday.

With a win over BC, Denver will break their tie with Michigan for the most NCAA Tournament titles. Two years ago, they tied the Wolverines with a win over Minnesota State, but they were upset in the regional semifinals by Cornell last year.

BC (34-5-1) is in the championship game for the first time since 2012, when they defeated Ferris State to win the most recent of their five national titles.

The top-ranked Eagles, who are also the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, made it 15 consecutive wins with a 4-0 semifinal shutout of Michigan. With a win over the Pioneers, BC will join Denver, Michigan, North Dakota (8), and Wisconsin (6) as the only programs to win six or more NCAA Division I men’s hockey titles.

Denver vs Boston College Odds

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Moneyline

• Denver +221
• Boston College -261

Over/Under

• Over 6 (-115)
• Under 6 (-105)

Puck Line

• Denver +1.5 (-120)
• Boston College -1.5 (+100)

Denver vs Boston College Prediction and Picks

There aren’t many teams that have been able to get the best of BC this season, but they will be going up against one of those teams for the title.

On October 21, Denver entered the Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill and exited with a 4-3 win. BC led 2-1 entering the final period, but the Pioneers came out on top thanks to three third-period goals, including Carter King’s winner at 17:58 of the period.

That was BC’s fourth game of the season, and since then, only Maine, Northeastern, Providence, and Boston University have solved them.

Can Denver deliver again? They came from behind to defeat BU in the semifinals, eliminating the Terriers and Macklin Celebrini, who may be the #1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft after becoming just the fourth freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award.

So, they won’t be overawed by having to face the Eagles, who are loaded with high-level NHL prospects.

Those big names delivered for BC against Michigan. Will Smith, the team’s leading scorer, scored the first two goals against the Wolverines, Gabe Perreault assisted on both goals and scored the fourth and final goal, and Cutter Gauthier scored the third goal, his 38^th of the season. Also, netminder Jacob Fowler stopped all 32 shots he faced.

Will this talented group finish off their likely lone season together with a championship? It’s understandable that they are so heavily favored, but Denver won’t go quietly.

The Pioneers have won eight straight games and are 13-1-1 in their last 15 games, and they have been rather stingy in their run to the championship game. Over this 15-game run, Denver has allowed two or fewer goals ten times, and they have allowed one goal in each of their last four games.

I think Denver will play it close, but I think Boston College will pull out the win to close an incredible campaign with a championship.

Denver vs Boston College Prediction: Boston College to win

Denver vs Boston College Betting Picks: Boston College -1.5 & Denver/Boston College under 6