All six teams are back in action this weekend. It features the top three teams playing the bottom three teams. Michigan will play Wisconsin, Penn State will play Michigan State and Minnesota will play Ohio State.

While the bottom three teams most likely can’t get a top two seed, the race is heating up for the top three times. And Michigan’s series is important for the PairWise, because a loss to the Spartans last weekend really hurt the Wolverines.

Wisconsin vs. Michigan: Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. CT; Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. CT

The Wolverines are coming off a series split with Michigan State, dropping a 3-2 overtime game in an upset. The loss snapped a nine-game Michigan unbeaten streak. The Wolverines have only lost two regulation games in Big Ten play this season.

The Badgers, off last week, are on a two-game winning streak after sweeping Alaska. The wins snapped a six-game winless streak. Wisconsin has struggled this year especially in Big Ten play, and sits last in the conference.

The Badgers have been too inconsistent to predict a performance from them. At certain points they’ve played well, but other times, like against Minnesota, they’ve been far from that. The Wolverines have a great offense, and their biggest weakness is on the other end. Even if the Badgers play well though, I can’t see them stopping Michigan’s offense.

Prediction: Michigan sweeps 

Michigan State vs. Penn State: Jan. 12 at 7:05 p.m.; Jan. 13 at 7:05 p.m.

The Spartans just pulled off one of their biggest wins (and one of their only wins), taking down Michigan in a 3-2 overtime game last Friday. Michigan State’s biggest strength was its defense, but that’s been an issue for them this season. But the Spartans have earned three of its seven wins over the past five games.

Penn State sits in the third Big Ten spot, searching for a bye. The Nittany Lions’ win over Minnesota last weekend snapped a four-game losing skid, all against Big Ten teams.

Before the season started, I had high expectations for the Spartans because of their defense and goaltending. But they suffered too many departures on the blue line, and it’s hurt them. The team seems to be improving while Penn State has struggled lately, so these games could be close.

Prediction: Series split

Ohio State vs. Minnesota: Jan. 12 at 6:35 p.m.; Jan. 13 at 7:05 p.m.

This is the second series between Ohio State and Minnesota, as the Buckeyes and the Gophers played a couple of one-goal games in December. The Gophers won both.

Minnesota has either struggled or done well since then, depending on how you look at it. The Gophers have many wins in conference play, but can’t win out-of-conference. The Gophers have one win in their last four games and just dropped a 5-3 decision to Penn State. That loss to Penn State ended a six-game Big Ten winning streak.

The Buckeyes, who were off last weekend, finished January with a 3-3-2 record. (I’m not counting the shootouts in that record.) Ohio State has played well all year, and they’re now staring to get some wins. The Buckeyes don’t always score a lot, but they have a few offensive threats that are hard to defend against.

These two games will probably also be close, and Ohio States offense against Minnesota’s defense and goaltending is an interesting matchup.

Prediction: Series split

Friday, February 12th, 2016 - 9:00 am | Big Ten, Blogs, Notes, Thoughts, Ramblings