Michigan State at Penn State

Drew: This is a really good opportunity for the Nittany Lions to prove that they belong in the conference title conversation by taking the majority of the points from this series. The Spartans haven’t picked up a victory since early November and have gone 0-4-1 in their last five games, all against ranked opponents. Penn State has a balanced scoring attack and has gotten solid goal tending out of Eamon McAdam and Matthew Skoff so far this season. This one could end up being a split, but I’m going to say Penn State works some of its Pegula magic and pulls a sweep off.

Paula: Drew is likely right about the sweep, but I’m still loathe to call one where Michigan State is concerned because of how well the Spartans have played in many games during that six-game winless stretch. Michigan State dropped two at home to North Dakota last Friday and Sunday, and Penn State shut out Vermont last Sunday in the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The Spartans are 6-2-2 against the Nittany Lions all time, and last year Michigan State swept Penn State in two games in East Lansing (Feb. 13-14). Friday’s game begins at 7:00 p.m., Saturday’s at 3:00 p.m., and neither is televised.

Drew’s picks: Penn State 4-2, 4-2.
Paula’s picks: Penn State 3-2, Michigan State 3-2.

Source: USCHO.com Blogs :: Big Ten Blog :: U.S. College Hockey Online