All Big Ten teams take the ice this week, highlighted by a couple conference series. Michigan State hosts the NTDP, while the Badgers welcome Boston University to Wisconsin.

Michigan and Minnesota face each other in the Big Ten series to watch this weekend, as the teams were expected to compete for the first and second spots in the Big Ten. Minnesota struggled at its holiday tournament, while Michigan powered past Michigan Tech and Michigan State to win the Great Lakes Invitational.  but Minnesota

Penn State and Ohio State face off, as the Buckeyes continue their Pennsylvania road trip. While the Nittany Lions came back from the holidays healthy, the Buckeyes will be undermanned this weekend.

The Hobey Baker fan ballot was released, and the Big Ten had seven members nominated – Penn State’s Casey Bailey and Taylor Holstrom, Michigan’s Andrew Copp and Zach Hyman and Minnesota’s Mike Reilly, Kyle Rau and Adam Wilcox.

Penn State (9-6-2, 3-1-0 B1G) vs. Ohio State (6-9-2, 1-2-0 B1G): Jan. 9 at 7 p.m.; Jan. 10 at 3 p.m.

Ohio State kicks off its Big Ten slate by traveling to Penn State for the first meeting between the two teams this season. Ohio State’s Penn State road trip continues, as the Buckeyes spent last weekend at Mercyhurst.

Tanner Fritz still leads the Buckeyes with 13 points, but second-leading scorer Nick Schilkey is questionable for the weekend with an illness, per Buckeye beat reporter Matthew McGreevy. McGreevy also reported that Darik Anjeli, Chad Niddery and Tyler Lundey are out this weekend.

The Nittany Lions are first in the conference, but lost both their games at the Three Rivers Classic. Penn State is now 2-4 in its last six games, with its only wins coming over Wisconsin. At the tournament, Penn State was bolstered by the return of Zach Saar, who appeared in his first game this season. Taylor Holstrom also returned. Holstrom’s linemate, Casey Bailey, took the sole team lead in points after scoring a goal at the Three Rivers Classic.

After relying on Matthew Skoff for the first nine games, the Nittany Lions have turned to a goalkeeping rotation. Ohio State has used both Matt Tomkins and Christian Frey this season.

The Three Rivers Classic was a tough weekend for Penn State, which dropped two valuable non-conference games. But tournaments can be hard for teams coming back from winter break, so it could’ve been an anomaly and not the norm.

Penn State started the season consistently strong, and should be able to defeat a shorthanded Buckeyes team. The Nittany Lions love throwing shots on net, so the Buckeye defense will be tested.

Prediction: Penn State sweeps

Michigan (10-7-0, 2-1-0 B1G) vs. Minnesota (12-5-1, 1-0-1 B1G): Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 10 at 3 p.m.

In the biggest Big Ten clash all season long, the Gophers travel to Yost Ice Arena to face the Wolverines. The teams had opposite results at their holiday tournaments, as a depleted Michigan team took home the GLI, while the Gophers failed to win the Mariucci Classic.

Prior to this season, Minnesota and Michigan were picked No. 1 and 2 in the conference. The Gophers started strong but have struggled of late, holding a 3-4-1 record in its last eight games (not including a loss to the NTDP). After an inconsistent start to their season, the Wolverines are 6-1 in their last seven, including a win over Michigan Tech at the GLI.

Minnesota’s Hudson Fasching and Ryan Collins were in Minnesota for both Mariucci Classic games, and defenseman Brady Skjei will be healthy this weekend. Kyle Rau’s 20 points leads Minnesota’s offense, which now ranks ninth in the country.

Michigan’s offense ranks fifth, thanks to the Wolverine top line of Zach Hyman, Dylan Larkin and Alex Kile – who rank first and second on the team in points. Larkin, along with Tyler Motte, J.T. Compher and Zach Werenski, missed the GLI because of the WJC.

Michigan defeated Michigan Tech, especially without Larkin and company, was really impressive. The Gophers have been shaky recently, so this is a telling series for both teams. I think Michigan has started finding its consistency, and Steve Racine was incredible in the team’s wins over Michigan Tech and Michigan State at the GLI.

Prediction: Yes, the Gophers are struggling and Michigan gets some of its players back, but I can’t see one team sweeping this. It might come down to Michigan’s goalkeeping, but I’ll take a series split.

Wisconsin (2-11-1) vs. Boston University (11-3-3): Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. CT; Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. CT

After winning just its second game of the season, this is one of the worst matchups for Wisconsin. The Terriers travel to Madison, Wisco., as one of the top teams in the nation. The Terriers are 2-0 against Big Ten opponents this season after defeating Michigan and Michigan State in October.

Jack Eichel, who captained the U.S. junior team, is tied for the scoring lead amongst NCAA players with 27 points. His linemate, Danny O’Regan, is eighth with 23. Netminder Matt O’Connor is quietly sixth in the country with a .939 save percentage.

The Badgers have struggled tremendously this season, and fell 8-1 to Michigan Tech in game one of their series. Joel Rumpel is the reason the Badgers won last Saturday, but his inconsistent play has hurt Wisconsin. The Badgers also average 1.71 goals per game, which ranks 54th. Grant Besse’s eight points leads the team.

It would take another Herculean performance from Rumpel if the Badgers had even a slight chance of winning this series. And Rumpel was actually pulled last Friday after allowing three goals on six shots.

Prediction: BU sweeps

Michigan State vs. NTDP: Jan. 9 at 7 p.m.

This is Michigan State’s last exhibition game, and its last non-conference match. The Spartans played very well in the Great Lakes Invitational, where it fell to Michigan 2-1 in the championship contest.

Before the GLI, the Spartans tied Minnesota and beat Clarkson, 6-4. Michael Ferrantino’s 14 points leads the scoring, while Matt Berry – who missed the last four games – still ranks second on the team.

The NTDP has earned some wins against collegiate opponents this season, taking down both Minnesota and Wisconsin. Michigan was the only team that beat the NTDP, earning a 7-4 win in October.

Prediction: I like the direction Michigan State is heading in, so I’ll take them for the win.

Thursday, January 8th, 2015 - 9:00 am | Big Ten, Blogs, Notes, Thoughts, Ramblings