There is a single game to discuss this weekend. First, a look at how Drew Claussen and I have picked the league to this point.
Last week
Drew: 1-4-0 (.200)
Paula: 3-2-0 (.600)
Season
Drew: 44-26-13 (.608)
Paula: 47-23-13 (.645)
Poor Drew was bitten by the wrong-way split bug last week, something that plagued me for all of 2014-15.
This week
The only team that plays this week is Michigan State. Play resumes Dec. 28 when holiday tournaments begin. First up then will be Ohio State vs. Boston College in the Florida College Classic and Penn State vs. Robert Morris in the Three Rivers Classic.
Michigan State at Northeastern
Drew: I’m sure both of these teams are hoping for better results in 2016. The Spartans picked up a conference split last weekend, but needed a late goal to get the victory Friday and then were shutout by Wisconsin the next night. Northeastern has yet to pick up a Hockey East win and has only won once in its past 16 games. The Huskies have had more success at home compared to on the road this season, but not much (one win compared to zero wins). Michigan State’s season has been rather unimpressive so far, but I’m going to pick the Spartans over a 2-12-3 team.
Paula: After the sour taste that last Saturday’s shutout loss gave the Spartans, I would be very surprised to see them fail to be competitive in this game. These teams last met Oct. 27, 1996, a 6-5 win by the Huskies. The game starts at 7:00 p.m. Saturday and will be televised by NBC Sports Network. (It should be noted that I edited to correct the omission of television information early the day of the game.) I feel like I’m going out on a limb by picking the Spartans in this one.
Drew’s pick: Michigan State 4-2.
Paula’s pick: Michigan State 3-2.
Happy holidays, everyone!
Look for our holiday tournament picks Monday, Dec. 28.
