• This weekend’s action marks the start of conference play in the Big Ten, a 24-game journey for schools that runs through early March. Three conference series are on the docket with No. 1/1 Michigan traveling to arch-rival Ohio State, a rematch of the 2026 Big Ten Championship Game won by Michigan, 7-3. Sunday’s MICH-OSU game will be carried by the Big Ten Network. No. 2/2 Wisconsin, which moved up four spots in the national polls, will host Notre Dame while No. 18/18 Minnesota, having reentered the top 20, takes on Penn State in Minneapolis. Penn State defeated Minnesota, 6-2, in the 2026 Big Ten Quarterfinals. No. 4/4 Michigan State encounters No. 8/8 North Dakota in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game, to be held Saturday in Cedar Park, Texas.

• The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game enters its 52nd year and will be contested for the first time in Texas. As an exempt game, it does not count towards the NCAA’s 34 regular-season game limit. Michigan State is making its fourth appearance (and first since 2013) as the Spartans look for their first win at the event.

• Two Big Ten alums are part of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Forward Phil Kessel (Minnesota, 2005-06) won three Stanley Cups and played in an NHL-record 1,064 consecutive games. Ryan Suter (Wisconsin, 2003-04) appeared in 1,526 NHL regular-season games, second-most among U.S.-born defenseman. Kessel and Suter will be inducted into the Hall Nov. 30 in Washington, D.C. 

• Heading into this weekend’s play, a number of Big Ten players own career numbers that rank among the best in the country. Michigan’s Garrett Schifsky is the active leader in short-handed goals (8) – just ahead of Penn State’s Dane Dowiak (6) – and stands fourth in games played (124). Teammate Jack Ivankovic sports the highest goalie win percentage (.793) and is fourth in wins (32). Fellow Wolverine Michael Hage owns the second-most assists (71) and is one of three active skaters to have reached 100 points. Jayden Perron, who transferred from North Dakota to Michigan, is second in power play goals (17). Minnesota transfer Evan Murr ranks fourth in game-winning goals (9) and assists (64).

• For the second consecutive week, Big Ten schools rank 1-2 in the national polls, with Michigan holding its consensus top spot and Wisconsin moving ahead of Michigan State at No. 2/2. Residing first or second atop the polls has become a common occurrence in the Big Ten Conference with seven sports holding that distinction in addition to men’s hockey: field hockey (#1 NU, #2 MD), football (#2 OSU), women’s golf (#2 USC), women’s hockey (#1 OSU, #2 MINN), men’s swimming/diving (#2 IND), volleyball (#1 NEB) and wrestling (#1 PSU).