After splitting its series against Ohio State last weekend, MSU enters with a record of 15-5-0 overall, 6-4-0 in Big Ten action. They're 5-3-0 against top-10 teams, having lost two games to Wisconsin, and one to Michigan. 

Wisconsin is coming off a sweep of Alaska Anchorage, holding a record of 15-3-2 overall, 8-2-0 in conference play. The Badgers lost to U-M and OSU in the first half of conference play. 

In the opponents' last meeting, MSU started Game 1 with a 2-0 lead, then gave up four second-period goals that cost them the game, despite the Spartan's push in the third. That was the first game MSU had to play from behind all season. 

While MSU has had some excellent mid-game performances, it has also struggled as of late. Just last week in Columbus, the Spartans' second period was below their standard, despite the 6-2 win. 

"We definitely have had some really good second periods, but as a whole, I think it's an area that we got to keep growing as a team," head coach Adam Nightingale said. "We try to talk about how we need to play. And some of that is maturing. I think the mature teams understand how to play in the second period, but we're getting to the back half. Guys understand that. They know the expectation and it's our job to go and execute."

Wisconsin's offensive leaders are the same as the teams' last meeting, forwards Christian Fitzgerald and Quinn Finley tied for goal lead with 10. Just as before, forward Gavin Morrissey leads the team in assists with 18, as well as points (3-18–21). The team is well rounded and executed tight defense when it visited East Lansing. 

"Looking forward to playing Wisconsin," Nightingale said. "They're having a heck of a season. They got a ton of depth. They can score. They got good special teams, got good goalies, good defense and well coached. So it'll be a really good test for us."

Nationally, the Badgers are ranked second in scoring offense, fourth on the power play and fourth in faceoffs (led by Morrissey). 

Goaltender Daniel Hauser is second in the NCAA in goalie-winning percentage; however, it is unclear who the Badgers will start in net, or if they will alternate goalies. 

While Hauser has played more games than netminder Eli Pulver, Pulver remains in the rotation, having started against then-No. 7 Western Michigan on Dec. 29. While Hauser has started the majority of recent contests, Pulver was in net for both games the last time MSU played Wisconsin. Hauser holds a .917 save percentage, with Pulver just behind at .904.

MSU's scoring is led by its top line of freshman forward Porter Martone and senior forwards Daniel Russell and Charlie Stramel. Martone leads the team in goals with 14 (14-11–25), Russell leads in assists with 16 (4-16–20) and Stramel leads in points with 26 (12-14–26). 

However, the Spartans' style of play is to wear teams down, allowing any line to score given the opportunity. 

MSU leads the country in scoring defense and junior netminder Trey Augustine holds a .938 save percentage — the best in the NCAA. His 1.725 goals-against average is second-best nationally. 

While leaders remain the same for both sides, the Spartans are not the same team as they were in November. 

"We've grown a lot," Stramel said. "We've gotten a lot more mature overall. I think we're more consistent with the way we play overall, and I think we'll be more than ready to go this weekend."

Nightingale echoed this message, saying that the team is no longer young, but a group that understands what's expected of them. He added that the Spartan's greatest area of growth has been playing away from the puck. 

MSU's focus is on being the best version of itself, Nightingale said. While the statement sounds repetitive, it rings true. When the Spartans wear teams down and execute at a high level, they find success. 

"Whether we're at home or on the road, we're still trying to bring it, play our game every night," Stramel said. "We're trying to go into their barn and do what they did to us the first half."