The Buckeyes continued to be a problem for the Spartans while earning a measure of revenge. They lost at Michigan State in double overtime in last year’s Big Ten Tournament title game before a 5-1 win in East Lansing on Feb. 27 followed by a shootout loss the following night.

Here's who the Spartans will be facing on Saturday night at Munn Ice Arena.

The Spartans suffered a disappointing loss on Saturday night, but they're still considered a lock to be a top seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament

The Big Ten is debuting a new hockey tournament format this year, and both Michigan State and Michigan have the most favorable paths to the championship. The second-ranked Spartans (25-7-2) are the No.

MSU is guaranteed a spot in the NCAA Tournament based on its spot in the NPI rankings. It will be the team’s third-straight tournament appearance, after Nightingale led MSU to its first one in 12 years during the 2023-24 season.

There will be no three-peat in the Big Ten Tournament for Michigan State hockey

Michigan State scored four goals in the second period to blow out Minnesota and capture a third consecutive Big Ten regular-season title.

With 13 new faces on the roster, Michigan State hockey still won the Big Ten Conference. The Spartans established an identity over their 34 games of the regular season and finished 25-7-2 overall, 16-6-2 in the Big Ten.