Gophers at a glance: The outlook for the Gophers (14-9-3, 5-2-3 Big Ten) hasn't been this positive in three months. They're riding a four-game unbeaten streak and more importantly showing signs of continuity on the ice. They've scored 21 goals in the past four games and improved defensively last weekend, giving up only two goals each night against Ohio State. Several individuals stepped up to fill the void of injured forward Connor Reilly, including freshman Leon Bristedt and sophomore Taylor Cammarata, both of wh had struggled badly over the first four months of the season. Senior forward Travis Boyd also emerged as someone that could lead this team down the stretch and junior goaltender Adam Wilcox looked more like the reigning Big Ten MVP. This weekend's result against a highly skilled opponent, however, will be a better test of the Gophers' progress.

Michigan at a glance: The Wolverines (16-8l, 8-2) have been one of the hottest teams in college hockey over the past three months, winning 14 of their past 17, including a sweep of the Gophers in early January. They're averaging 4.21 goals per game, the nation's best offense by nearly half a goal, and have two of the nation's top 20 scorers. Zach Hyman leads Michigan with 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists) and Dylan Larkin has 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists). Though defense (rated 40th out of 59 teams) has been sacrificed for the high-scoring offense, goaltender Zach Nagelvoort is coming off Big Ten second star of the week honors. The Wolverines are only two points ahead of Penn State in the conference standings with a series against all five Big Ten opponents left on their schedule.

JASON GONZALEZ