This weekend of Big Ten play takes off with a logjam in the standings. Minnesota and Michigan are tied for first, while Penn State and Michigan State sit two points behind.

The biggest test this weekend will be Minnesota against Penn State. Minnesota just swept Michigan, looking like the team we expected them to be. On the other side, Penn State was just swept by Michigan State.

Michigan vs. Ohio State might be an interesting one, depending on how healthy the Buckeyes are. Even with the injuries, Ohio State put up six goals on Michigan, albeit allowing 10. Wolverine captain Andrew Copp is day-to-day with an injury, that he probably sustained on this collision.

Michigan (16-10-0, 8-4-0 B1G) vs. Ohio State (8-16-2, 3-9-0 B1G): Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.; Feb. 22 at 5 p.m.

The Wolverines and Buckeyes resume their rivalry with a home-and-home series this weekend. The last time these teams met, Michigan destroyed Ohio State – putting up 10 goals on a very injured Buckeye team. But the Buckeyes exploited Michigan’s defense – or lack thereof – and scored six goals of their own.

Michigan’s offense has been stunted of late, and have scored more than two goals just once (in the outdoor win over Michigan State). The Wolverines still average the most goals per game in the nation and have two of the best scorers in Zach Hyman and Dylan Larkin, but both Michigan State and Minnesota have proved the offense can be stopped.

The Wolverines are also 1-3 in its last four games – which means they’re 1-3 against quality opponents.  The Buckeyes have just one win in their last eight games, and it was a victory over the Badgers.

But it looks like Ohio State is getting a healthier, which should help. Anthony Greco has been having a great year, and has 17 points. Tanner Fritz has also stepped up, and has 15 in 26 games.

If Michigan plays the way they played against Minnesota on Saturday night, they’ll have no trouble defeating Ohio State.

Prediction: Michigan sweeps

Penn State (15-9-4, 7-4-1 B1G) vs. Minnesota (16-9-3, 7-2-3 B1G): Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m.; Feb. 21 at 5 p.m.

The Gophers are coming off possibly their best stretch of the season after sweeping Michigan and limiting the Wolverine offense. The Gophers are now on a four-game winning streak, and have won five of the last six (although one series was against Ohio State and another against Wisconsin.)

Penn State has had some interesting weekends in the second half of the season. They were swept by a surging Michigan State team last weekend, but have still won six of their last 10.

The Nittany Lions might not have Michigan’s offense, but they’re pretty close and are known for taking a lot of shots on net. This should be a good test for both teams, to see if Minnesota can stay consistent and to show just how good Penn State is.

With the way the standings are currently, this is a battle between some of the top teams in the conference. Minnesota wins the goaltending battle, though, as Adam Wilcox has been steady in net for the Gophers.

Prediction: Series split

Wisconsin vs. Michigan State (12-12-2, 6-4-2 B1G): Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. CT; Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. CT

Michigan State might be surging, but the Badgers have been playing better. Their victory over Ohio State snapped a 11-game winless streak, but some of those contests were close.

Grant Besse has 20 points, while freshman Adam Rockwood has chipped in of late with 10 points of his own. Joel Rumpel has been inconsistent this season, but when he plays beyond his best, the Badgers usually have a chance to win.

The Spartans have won five of their last six games, with a loss to Michigan outdoors. Michigan State’s defensive philosophy helped it defeat Michigan, and take two from Penn State. The bigger issue this season was if Michigan State would start scoring, and they’ve started to improve in that area. Not to mention the Spartans have the best goalkeeper in the conference in Jake Hildebrand.

Prediction: Michigan State sweeps

Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 9:00 am | Big Ten, Blogs, Notes, Thoughts, Ramblings