EAST LANSING- The No. 9 Michigan State hockey team will face off against No. 11 Michigan this weekend for the second series this season in Ann Arbor and at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit for the annual Duel in the D.

MSU enters the series five points ahead of Wisconsin for first place in the Big Ten with 40 points and a 12-4-2 conference record, the best in program history. Michigan enters the series fifth in the Big Ten with 25 points and a 7-7-2 conference record. 

The Spartans are coming off a series split with Notre Dame last weekend. MSU fell in the first matchup 4-1 and won the second matchup 4-0. Freshman goalie Trey Augustine recorded his third shutout of the season and leads the Big Ten in shutouts.

In the January series against the Wolverines, fifth-year senior Nicolas Muller scored two goals in the Spartans’  7-5 comeback win in Ann Arbor. Muller, along with sophomore forwards Joey Larson and Karsen Dorwart, are key players to watch for MSU.

The Wolverines swept Ohio State in their series last weekend. Michigan dominated in both games, winning the first matchup 4-2 and the second matchup 4-1. Sophomore forward Josh Eernissie and freshman forward Garrett Schifsky led Michigan in the series with two goals each.

In their last series against the Spartans, the Wolverines had impressive performances from sophomore forwards Rutger McGroarty and T.J. Hughes, who both had three goals each in the January series. Hughes and McGroarty will be players to watch this weekend for the Wolverines, along with junior forward Dylan Duke, the leading goal scorer for Michigan with 16 goals on the season.

The Spartans will open up the series against the Wolverines on Friday at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.