The Big Ten enters another week of conference play, with Michigan at the top of the conference. Its series with Minnesota is the marquee matchup of this week, featuring two of the Big Ten’s top teams.

The Gophers swept Ohio State last weekend, but haven’t earned a quality win against a good team in a long time. Meanwhile, the Wolverines still have defensive questions. The last time both teams met, Michigan swept Minnesota – but allowed five goals to the Gophers on Jan. 10.

All three series are interesting, as Penn State  –  is on an eight-game unbeaten streak, and has scored four or more goals in eight of the last nine contests. It’s another defensive test for the Spartans, who just faced the top-ranked offense in the country with a split against Michigan.

In probably the most underrated series of the weekend (for all the wrong reasons) the Buckeyes and Badgers will face off to see which team is the worst in the Big Ten. Ohio State’s struggles have been masked by Wisconsin’s even more impressive issues, but this weekend will be telling.

Ohio State (7-15-2, 2-8-0 B1G) vs. Wisconsin (2-18-4, 0-8-2 B1G): Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m.; Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.

The Buckeyes and Badgers are the worst teams in the Big Ten. Ohio State’s poor season has been overshadowed by the mess in Wisconsin, which includes an intense first-to-worst collapse. Both teams lost key offensive players last season, but they weren’t expected to struggle this much.

To Ohio State’s defense, they’ve really battled injuries. Only Anthony Greco and Tanner Fritz have played in every game this season. Chad Niddery, Nick Oddo, Nick Schilkey and Matt Johnson have all been injured this season. The Buckeyes are now on a six-game losing streak, last earning an overtime win against Penn State.

The Badgers are on a two-game losing streak, but haven’t won in 10 games. Their play has improved lately, which they showed against Penn State and Minnesota. But that can’t salvage how bad this season has been for the Badgers.

To makes things worse for Wisconsin, Matt Ustaski will miss this weekend, and Cameron Hughes (one of Wisconsin’s bright spots) is questionable, per Andy Baggot.

I’ve been looking forward to this series the most, because it should reveal which team is worse.

Prediction: Series split

Michigan State (10-12-2, 4-4-2 B1G) vs. Penn State (15-7-4, 7-2-1 B1G): Feb. 13 at 7:05 p.m.; Feb. 14 at 6 p.m.

The Spartans and Nittany Lions have a habit of playing in close games. This season, they skated to a 2-2 tie – before Penn State won 5-2. The Nittany Lions are unbeaten in their last eight, while the Spartans have won three of the last four.

The most notable win was holding Michigan to one goal in Detroit. The Spartans are heralded as one of the better defenses in the Big Ten (they allow the least amount of goals at 2.46 goals per game). But some mistakes cost them in the 4-1 loss to Michigan at the Hockey City Classic.

Jake Hilderband has been one of the, if not the best, goalkeepers in the Big Ten this season. The Nittany Lions have used all three goalkeepers, but P.J. Musico has started the last three, helping Penn State to three straight wins.

Penn State finally seems to have settled down after a rough return from break. Their offense has come back to life, and now ranks fifth in the country. But like Michigan (and Minnesota, at times) the Nittany Lions have struggled to keep opponents off the scoreboard. I feel they’re more consistent than the Spartans right now.

Prediction: Penn State sweeps

Minnesota (14-9-3, 5-2-3 B1G) vs. Michigan (16-8-0, 8-2-0 B1G): Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. CT; Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. CT

The Wolverines have won eight of their last nine games, dropping a contest two weeks ago to the Spartans. Michigan State is the toughest defensive team the Wolverines have played so far, and the Spartan defense is probably better than Minnesota’s.

Despite being slightly offensively limited over the past two games against the Spartans, Michigan’s offense still leads the country. Dylan Larkin, just added to the Hobey Baker ballot, is second amongst rookies with 31 points.

After winning just three of 10 games since returning from winter break, the Gophers are on a two-game winning streak. Minnesota hasn’t been playing badly, but they’ve really struggled to win against quality teams. Beating Ohio State was a big boost, but it’s just Ohio State. Michigan is a much stronger team.

I’m not sure Michigan is a better team than Minnesota. I think the Gophers still have a ways to go to tighten up, but if they’re strong defensively they could take down the Wolverines. But I don’t think their defense is quite there yet. But, the first two games this season were close.

Prediction: Series split

Friday, February 13th, 2015 - 9:05 am | Big Ten, Blogs, Notes, Thoughts, Ramblings