Frozen Four predictions: Who will win the national championship?

The potential for fireworks is high in this Frozen Four, which begins Thursday in St. Paul, Minn.

As much as we at New England Hockey Journal care about the rest of the country, we really care about the teams from our region. This season presents a unique possibility.

No. 1 Boston College faces Michigan in the Frozen Four semifinals, while Boston University faces Denver.

That means there could be a BC-BU final. Oh boy.

But will that happen?

Evan Marinofsky went 3-for-4 on his picks for the Frozen Four, while Patrick Donnelly went an impressive 4-for-4. Amazingly enough, both picked Michigan, who was the No. 3 seed, to come out of the Maryland Heights regional.

Here are our picks for the Frozen Four.

Semifinal: Boston College vs. Michigan

Marinofsky: Michigan's been on an outstanding run since it fell to Michigan State in overtime of the Big Ten championship game. The Wolverines upset North Dakota and Michigan State en route to earning a spot in the Frozen Four. That's cool...but the Eagles are on another level right now. With BC, I always go back to freshman netminder Jacob Fowler. In their first-round matchup with Michigan Tech, the Huskies stunned the Eagles in the first two periods, getting 21 shots on Fowler. The former Youngstown Phantom was the sole reason the Eagles were in position to eventually win the game, 6-1. He will be the X-factor in this one.

BC wins, 4-1. 

Donnelly: I'm with Evan here. With two potent and absolutely stacked offensives, I think this ultimately comes down to which goalie makes the extra save (or two). For me, Fowler has a distinct edge over Jake Barczewski. Offensively, for as loaded as Michigan is, the Eagles are right there too, and then some. Quinnipiac gave BC a scare, but at the end of the day, the Eagles got it done. They'll get it done here as well.

BC wins, 5-3.

Semifinal: Boston University vs. Denver

Marinofsky: Denver's biggest strength is its offense, as it leads the country in goals with 198. But the main reason the Pioneers are making the trip to Minnesota is because of goalie Matt Davis. The junior goalie was the reason Denver snuck past No. 4 UMass, 2-1, in double overtime. Davis was under siege, having to make 46 saves. In a 2-1 win over Cornell, Davis had to make 24 saves. And while BU's coming off of two-straight six-goal performances, Denver holds the advantage offensively and in net. I'm sorry, Pat. I didn't mean for it to be this way.

Denver wins, 4-2. 

Donnelly: That's OK, Evan. I know you wouldn't want a jinx for BU on your conscience. So, let me do that for you. Davis was sensational in the regionals, and has had a strong season. I haven't been the biggest believer in Mathieu Caron this season, either, but I do think he has an edge over Davis. He boasts the better save percentage and GAA, while facing a heavier workload. Save for BU having a clear advantage on the power play (28.1 percent, compared to Denver's 22.9), the Terriers and Pioneers have similar numbers on the season. With two of the most potent offenses in the nation (are you sensing a theme among these programs?), this could come down to the stars on each team. Macklin Celebrini and Lane Hutson have been strong down the stretch. They're game-breakers, seemingly at their best when the lights are brightest.

BU wins, 4-3.

National championship

Marinofsky: I know, I know — I'm no fun. Editor of New England Hockey Journal and I don't pick the BC-BU final? I deserve the tomatoes that come my way. As for my BC-Denver matchup, it feels like BC's year. The Eagles have steamrolled the competition to this point. They might leave Minnesota with Cutter Gauthier having won the Hobey Baker Award. Will Smith (Lexington, Mass.) had a valid argument for the honor, too. BC has everything: dynamic young talent, strong veterans and an elite netminder. However, I think this is an extremely close game and ends up being an instant classic.

BC wins, 4-3, in overtime. 

Donnelly: I'm here to give the people what they want, so give me the BU-BC final, please and thank you. This matchup would be spectacular theater, no matter the outcome. As good as Fowler is, I can see this matchup bringing the fireworks, between Celebrini, Smith and the rest of the talent in play here. I'm also going to subscribe to Evan's theories. What's harder than beating a team three times in one season? Beating them four times. Plus, the Eagles smoked the Terriers in the Hockey East championship a few weeks ago, which will surely give BU bulletin board material. Call it going with my heart over my head.

BU wins, 5-4.