100% pure ???? (adjective)
Ol’ Dex wants to know what to watch [Bill Rapai]
I know Brian just did a Bracketology Update on Monday, so I decided to look at more of the specifics of what/when/who to watch this upcoming weekend.
Notre Dame Preview
|
PWR |
Corsi |
PP% |
PK% |
Players Drafted |
Skaters >.75 PPG |
GAA |
Save% |
|
|
Michigan |
15th |
17th |
16% |
77% |
7 |
2: Marody, Calderone |
2.76 (Lavigne) |
.905 (Lavigne) |
|
Notre Dame |
2nd |
47th |
20% |
88% |
6 |
3: Evans, Oglevie, Burke |
1.75 (Morris) |
.950 (Morris) |
Things That Michigan Will (Probably) Need to Do to Get Points This Weekend:
1. Stay Out of the Box. This is where Michigan lost both games against the Fighting Irish last month. They didn’t take a ton of penalties (only five combined), but Michigan gave up three of their four total goals surrendered with ND on the man advantage. When the game was at even strength, the Wolverines played Notre Dame pretty even, and maybe even outplayed them a bit at Yost.
2. Don’t Get Caught. Michigan has done a better job lately of staying home defensively and covering for defensemen (Quinn Hughes) who skate the puck deep in the zone. Michigan is probably going to control the puck and get the majority of attempts. When that is the case, it is very important not to gift your opposition goals by getting too aggressive and giving up odd man rushes. Staying out of the box and defensively sound will give the Wolverines their best chance to grab points this weekend. Defensemen, pinch with care.
3. Finish. Just get the puck in the net. Over the last couple of weekends, Michigan has created some chances and given guys some opportunities, they just have not finished. This is the season's do-or-die series. It is time for Marody and Calderone–Michigan’s go-to scorers–to finish their chances.
Final Thoughts. I like how this series sets up for Michigan. As Brian stated earlier this week, they’re probably going to need a win this weekend to be in comfortable position in the Pairwise ranking. Michigan gets their Game 7 at home on Sunday, so Friday night kinda becomes found money. If they’re able to get something in South Bend, all of a sudden Sunday becomes a great opportunity. If not, they’ll have the friendly confines of Yost to fall back on for an all-or-nothing chance.
[After THE JUMP: dissecting the Big Ten standings and nationwide rooting interests according to Pairwise]
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