Five Big Ten teams start their weekend on Thursday this week so Saturday’s slate will be pretty light. The lone Big Ten matchup this week features Wisconsin traveling to Minnesota.

I caught a break with Ohio State picking up a shootout win to keep my prediction spot-on, even though they were thoroughly dominated all weekend. Michigan State continues to prove me right and Wisconsin is showing they belong in the conversation as well. Feel free to leave a comment telling me what picks you agree or don’t agree with this week.

Last week’s results: 10-2 Season Total: 29-6

Michigan State at Boston College

Michigan State has started the season 5-1 with their lone loss on the road at Air Force. They face a tough test this weekend going on the road to BC to face a defense that is only giving up to goals per game. The Spartans will need to find a way to put the puck in the back of the net to continue their hot start. Look for closely-contested games with each team earning a victory and some battle scars. Prediction: Split 1-1

Mercyhurst at Notre Dame

Notre Dame must have read my criticism of their offense in last week’s Puck Picks as they went out and doubled their season total with four goals Friday and added two more in a losing effort Saturday. This week’s matchup with Mercyhurst offers them a chance to continue growing offensively. The Lakers have yet to win in regulation and have looked porous in each game. Expect a high-scoring affair this weekend and for the Irish to win both. Prediction: Notre Dame 2-0

Alaska-Anchorage at Penn State

The Nittany Lions suffered their fist loss of the season last weekend, but still found a way to look good doing so. The Seawolves come in to State College with a .500 record and don’t give up a lot of goals – which is good for them because they also don’t score a lot. Penn State should be able to take care of business, but don’t be the over on either game. Prediction: PSU 2-0

Wisconsin at Minnesota

Wisconsin has started the season 5-1 (just as well expected, right?) with a good chance to make a statement against perennial national-title contender Minnesota in their first conference matchup. The Golden Gophers split their rivalry series with North Dakota last weekend and have looked uncharacteristically bad for stretches of games this season. At the beginning of the season, I would’ve taken Minnesota going away. But given the Badgers’ hot start and the Gophers’ inability to string together a complete game, I’m going for a split. Prediction: Split 1-1

Ohio State at Omaha

Ohio State earned a series split despite being outscored 9-3 last week against Michigan. Now they have to go back on the road to face a pesky Omaha squad boasting a +8 goal differential through two games. I really like Ohio State to start the season but this past weekend they just looked uninspired and I’ve soured on them a little. Look for Omaha to look like the better team, but the Buckeyes still squeak one out. Prediction: Split 1-1

Lindenwood at Michigan

As referenced above, Michigan looked dominant last weekend against Ohio State. With a matchup against Lindenwood this weekend, expect more of the same. The Lions only have one win (in OT) on the season and the Wolverines can likely smell the blood in the water. Look for some out-of-hand games and some frustrated Lions. Prediction Michigan 2-0