This weekend features two rivalry Big Ten series. Michigan and Michigan State face off at the Joe Louis Arena for the second time this season, while Wisconsin hosts Minnesota.

Penn State faces Vermont in the Philadelphia College Hockey Faceoff, and Ohio State sits out with a bye. This is an important off week for the Buckeyes, who are trying to get healthy. When Ohio State returns to action, they’ll be without Matthew Weis. He was given a one-game suspension for a contact to the head hit on Spartan captain Michael Ferrantino.

The Wolverine-Spartan match is the biggest of the weekend. Michigan’s offense has averaged almost a touchdown per game over the past five contests, but hasn’t faced a good defensive team over that stretch. The Spartans have the best defense in the Big Ten, and limited the Wolverines to two goals during the GLI. But, Michigan played that weekend without Dylan Larkin and Zach Werenski.

While it’s only one game, Penn State’s tilt with Vermont is also a big matchup. The Catamounts rank 14th in the PairWise. The Big Ten has struggled in non-conference games, and a win help Penn State’s current PairWise ranking.

Minnesota hits the road after dropping both games at the North Star College Cup. To be fair, Minnesota State and Minnesota-Duluthare both good teams. The Gophers have won four of their last 14 games, with wins over Boston College, RIT, Michigan State and Wisconsin.

The Gophers dominated the Badgers when these teams met last (and ended with a brawl), but the Badgers managed a tie in the first game of the weekend. 

Michigan (15-7-0, 7-1-0 B1G) vs. Michigan State (9-11-2, 3-3-2 B1G): Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m. (Joe Louis Arena)

First Michigan and Michigan State will play at the Joe Louis Arena, and next week the teams will face off in Chicago. The biggest matchup for the weekend features offense vs. defense.

The Wolverines, college hockey’s hottest offense, average 4.36 goals per game. Zach Hyman has 35 points, and is on a seven-game point streak. His linemate, Dylan Larkin, ranks second amongst freshmen with 29 points. Michigan is also on a seven-game winning streak.

But Michigan hasn’t faced a strong defense since it played Michigan State in the GLI – when the Spartans limited the Wolverines to two goals. Michigan still has goalkeeping and defensive issues, and allows three goals per game – 44th in the country.

The Spartans don’t score much, but received an offensive boost from Matt Berry last weekend. The forward returned after missing six games on forced leave by head coach Tom Anastos. Berry averages a point per game. Jake Hildebrand has taken over as the Big Ten’s best goaltender, and has helped Michigan State limit opponents to 2.45 goals per game.

Michigan State swept Ohio State last weekend, earning its third win since winter break.

Also a fun stat – Michigan has the best power play in January, converting 41.2 percent of its chances. The team with the best penalty kill? That would be Michigan State, which is a perfect 100 percent this month.

Michigan has quite an offense. It’s incredible to watch, but hasn’t been tested in a long time. I like where Michigan State is going, and the boost Berry gives them. Michigan won’t be able to run over the Spartans too easily.

Prediction: Michigan State wins

Wisconsin (2-15-3, 0-5-1 B1G) vs. Minnesota (11-9-2, 2-2-2 B1G): Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. CT; Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. CT

The Badgers and Gophers resume their rivalry just a couple weeks after it ended with a brawl. Wisconsin is on a six-game winless streak, and surrendered 13 goals to Michigan last week. The Badgers held a 4-1 lead over the Wolverines on Friday, but Michigan scored the next six goals.

If Wisconsin has any chance at winning again this season, they’ll need a 45-plus save effort from Joel Rumpel. His save percentage is just .898, but the Badgers only win when he plays beyond his best. Grant Besse has 13 points and was on a three-game point streak before the Badgers were shut out on Saturday.

The Gophers are 4-6-2 since winter break, and are on a two-game losing streak. Minnesota fell to Minnesota State and Minnesota-Duluth at the North Star College Classic, and are now, at best, the fourth-ranked team in Minnesota. The Gophers haven’t played poorly, but have been struggling to find wins.

Last season, the Gophers’ defense and offense ranked in the country’s top 10. This season, Minnesota’s offense ranks 12th and its defense 28th. Mike Reilly has taken over the team scoring lead, with 24 points over 22 games. The junior ranks third amongst defenseman in scoring nationally.

Prediction: Minnesota sweeps

Penn State (12-7-4) vs. Vermont (15-8-2): Jan. 31 at 1 p.m. (Philadelphia College Hockey Faceoff)

The Nittany Lions are on a five-game unbeaten streak, picking up wins over Ohio State, Michigan State and Northern Michigan since the Three Rivers Classic. Three of Penn State’s games in January have featured crazy comebacks, and the Nittany Lions have scored four or more goals in five of six games this month.

Penn State averages 3.48 goals per game, good for eighth in the country. But goaltending has been an issue recently, and Penn State used all three goalkeepers last week. Casey Bailey has 27 points.

Vermont has won one of its last seven games, and is winless in its last four. After recording two losses in the first half, the Catamounts are 2-5-1 since winter break. But Vermont is still 14th in the PairWise, 10 spots higher than Penn State.

Senior Mike Paliotta has 23 points, good for fourth amongst blueliners nationally. Sophomore Mike Santaguida has a .945 save percentage which is second nationally.

Penn State has been wildly inconsistent over the past few games, scoring in bursts. I’m not sure who will win.

Prediction: Vermont wins

Saturday, January 31st, 2015 - 9:00 am | Big Ten, Blogs, Notes, Thoughts, Ramblings