College Hockey Preview: Top ECAC, Big Ten & NCHC Matchups to Watch This Weekend

College hockey remains as exciting as ever with conference play kicking off across the nation. The ECAC has been making statements with a whopping four teams in the top 20, while the Big Ten and the NCHC both have four teams in the top 10. We'll get treated to multiple high-end matchups this weekend as a result. 

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Preview and Key Matchups for Thursday Slate

No. 16 Providence Friars vs. No. 17 UMass Minutemen 

The Minutemen breezed through the start of their schedule, but things turned tough quickly as they lost five of their last seven games while scoring just 2.0 goals per game. That has put a lot of pressure on their goaltending, where we have seen Jackson Irving take the place of an injured Michael Hrabal (Mammoth). Irving allowed nine goals on 72 shots (.875 save percentage) last weekend against Boston College. Hrabal should end up getting the nod if he's healthy. 

The Friars are 5-4-2 and split with a scrappy Merrimack team last weekend. Freshman Roger McQueen (Ducks) finally got on the scoresheet. Their goaltending situation has been decent with Philip Svedeback registering a .907 save percentage and a 2.55 GAA across 10 games. Overall, they have looked much better after a slow start, coming in at 12th in the nation with a 55.3 Corsi For percentage, which tracks high-percentage scoring chances. Meanwhile, UMass rings in at 48.1 percent (38th). 

The Minutemen's scoring struggles are a cause for concern, as their only saving grace is their 25.5 power-play percentage (10th), but the Friars outmatch them in that category with a 25.6 mark. Furthermore, the Minutemen's penalty kill is an eyesore at 74.3 percent (52nd). We're going to roll with Providence to take this one at home as a result, and the under is appealing if Michael Hrabal gets the nod for UMass. 

• Providence ML (-135 DraftKings)
• Under 5.5 (-105 DraftKings)

College Hockey Betting Picks & Odds for Friday's Games

No. 19 Cornell Big Red vs. No. 20 Union Garnet Chargers

Sportsbooks don't always carry ECAC competition, but both of these teams are ranked after strong starts to the year. Union is red-hot with three straight wins against St. Lawrence, UMass-Lowell and New Hampshire, scoring a combined 18 goals while giving up just three. Meanwhile, Cornell has just two losses this year to No. 17 UMass and No. 13 Dartmouth, and they have yet to allow more than two goals in a game. That leads to an intriguing matchup between Union's high-powered offense (third in the nation with 4.0 goals per game) and Cornell's classically sturdy defense (third in the nation with 1.5 GAA). 

The Big Red have untapped goal-scoring potential; however, as freshman Caton Ryan already has three goals in six games, while junior Ryan Walsh (Bruins) scored 17 goals over 36 games last year. Sophomore Charlie Major should be a factor soon, too, after scoring 30 goals over 59 games in the USHL just two years ago. They're backstopped by Alexis Cournoyer (Canadiens), one of the best goalies in the country with a .953 save percentage. 

Union has its own stud in net with Cameron Korpi, who allowed just one goal on 57 shots last weekend. The Garnet Chargers are tied for first in the nation with a 61.0 Corsi For percentage, and they have allowed fewer high-percentage shots per game than the Big Red. This should be a defensive battle, but Union has an excellent chance to pull off the road upset this week. 

• Union ML (+180 DraftKings)
• Under 5.5 (-110 DraftKings)

No. 2 Michigan Wolverines vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

The Wolverines have split their last two series against No. 8 Wisconsin and No. 5 Penn State, scoring seven goals in each of their wins while being held to three combined goals between their two losses. The Buckeyes just split with Wisconsin on the road and scored five goals in each game. 

Wisconsin drew a roadmap on how to beat the Wolverines two weekends ago by playing smothering defense, constantly chipping the puck out of the zone and taking advantage of their opportunities. Michigan's coaching staff even admitted it was frustrating to play against. Ohio State mimicked that approach against Wisconsin last weekend and secured four of six points in the Big Ten standings. If they can replicate that defensive performance with another strong series from goaltender Kristoffer Eberly, then they'll be in contention to steal a win this weekend. The Buckeyes have a dependable blue line to shut down Michigan's superstars and a deep set of scorers to capitalize when chances present themselves. I'm happy to take Ohio State at such a value this weekend. 

• Ohio State ML (+220 DraftKings)
• Over 6.5 (-110 DraftKings)

No. 15 Boston College Golden Eagles vs. No. 10 Maine Black Bears

Boston College recorded a 2-4-1 record to begin the season, but its losses were to No. 3 Denver, No. 9 Quinnipiac and No. 12 Northeastern. They have bounced back well by winning four straight games against Vermont and No. 17 UMass, allowing four total goals in that stretch while scoring 18 goals. Bruins prospects James Hagens and Dean Letourneau are humming with eight goals and 20 points combined, and they have found steady goaltending with freshman Louka Cloutier (Avalanche) producing a .919 save percentage. 

Maine hasn't looked like the teams of old, as it has been heavily reliant on its offense to win games, scoring just four total goals across its four losses while generating 5.7 goals per game in its wins. Freshman forward Justin Poirier (Hurricanes) is leading the charge with 10 goals (fourth in the nation). Junior goaltender Albin Boija has remained impressive, albeit with some regression from last year, notching a .912 save percentage. 

Both teams rank in the top 10 in Corsi For percentage while maintaining a deep group of scorers, but the Black Bears have a more experienced and steady group of blueliners that gives them the edge. Hockey East has been high scoring all year, too, making me lean towards over. 

• Maine ML (+120 DraftKings)
• Over 5.5 (-130 DraftKings)

No. 5 Penn State Nittany Lions at Minnesota Golden Gophers

The Nittany Lions were on fraud watch after sleepwalking through their non-conference schedule before getting swept by Michigan State two weeks ago and getting pummeled 7-1 by Michigan last weekend. However, they beat Michigan 4-2 on Saturday, and now they'll travel to Minnesota for another Big Ten clash. 

The Nittany Lions may be slightly overrated based on preseason hype, but this team is deep and hungry to prove themselves as real contenders. On the other hand, Minnesota sits with a 5-8-1 record. They were swept by No. 4 Minnesota-Duluth and No. 7 Wisconsin while splitting with No. 6 North Dakota on the road. However, last weekend's split against Long Island University was a major demerit. 

Both blue lines are a concern here, and with this game shaping up to be a track meet, I don't see a way that the Gophers can keep up with the firepower of Gavin McKenna, JJ Weisbuch and Charlie Cerrato (Hurricanes). I'm rolling with Penn State here and the over. 

• Penn State ML (-166 DraftKings)
• Over 6.5 (-130 DraftKings)