In a sport known for its unpredictability, the NCAA men's hockey tournament is set to showcase some fierce competition as the picks for the upcoming games have been unveiled. Half of the last 12 champions have been first-time winners, adding to the sense of anticipation and excitement surrounding the tournament.

Beat writer Brad Schlossman, known for his accurate predictions, has shared his picks for the tournament. However, he has also introduced a unique twist by pitting his choices against those of a coin. In the past, the coin has successfully predicted a national title, highlighting the surprising nature of the tournament.

Starting off with the East Regional, Schlossman has picked Boston University to triumph over RIT, followed by a victory against Minnesota. Although the Terriers have been his preseason pick, Schlossman acknowledges the challenging path they face in the tournament. Despite their past struggles in regional play, he remains faithful in their ability to come out on top.

Not to be outdone, the coin also favors Boston University to emerge victorious in the East Regional, albeit against Omaha instead of Minnesota. With both Schlossman and the coin aligning in their pick for the Terriers, it is clear that they have a strong chance of making a deep run in the tournament.

Moving on to the Midwest Regional, Schlossman predicts Denver to defeat UMass, followed by a win over Cornell. He highlights Denver's offensive strengths, particularly their elusive defensemen, as factors that could tip the scales in their favor. Meanwhile, the coin chooses UMass over Denver, before selecting Cornell to triumph over Maine and eventually defeat UMass.

In the West Regional, Schlossman expects Michigan State to overcome Western Michigan before facing off against UND, ultimately forecasting a victory for UND. Michigan State's goaltender, Trey Augustine, is identified as the X-factor in this matchup, bringing a history of strong performances in crucial games. The coin mirrors Schlossman's picks for Michigan State's triumph over Western Michigan, but interestingly chooses Michigan over UND.

Lastly, in the Northeast Regional, Schlossman opts for Boston College to overpower Michigan Tech, and Wisconsin to eliminate Quinnipiac. The anticipated clash between Boston College and Wisconsin, two formidable teams, is set to test each other's strength and tactical prowess. However, the coin shakes things up by selecting Michigan Tech to defeat Boston College, before predicting a Wisconsin victory against Quinnipiac and ultimately Michigan Tech.

As the tournament approaches, excitement builds as fans eagerly anticipate the action on ice. With both expert analysis and the unconventional predictions of a coin, the question of which picks will prevail remains unanswered. The NCAA men's hockey tournament promises to captivate audiences with its thrilling and unpredictable nature, where anything can happen on the road to crowning a champion.