With three games complete in the 2026-27 hockey season, the Michigan State Spartans stand a perfect 3-0 while they have risen up the rankings to No. 2 in the country. While conference foe Michigan has notched a sweep of No. 1 Denver on the road to start their season, the Spartans slate has been much less challenging. That trend (should) continue this weekend in New Hampshire before the Spartans see the level of competition ramp up significantly with a one game event in Austin, Texas next weekend against the No. 3 North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Today I will take a look at what trends and things have stood out about the Spartans so far, and then preview the weekend series against UNH.
Red Hot Power Play
Michigan State currently owns the 2nd ranked power play in the country operating at an incredible 44.4% (8 for 18) through three games. I will be looking closer into the power play and what is working with an article soon, but the Spartans have seen contributions across both their power play units thus far. An incredible seven different players have scored on the power play, with none of them coming from a defensemen either. Waves of talent will be the calling card for the Spartans this season and it shines brightest in man advantage situations. There will be regression in the power play percentage as the season goes on (last seasons leader was Michigan at 31.9% with the Spartans 2nd at 30.2%) but in the early stages of this season, looking to replace players such as Charlie Stramel and Porter Martone, it is encouraging to see the Spartans taking full advantage of their extra man opportunities.
Strength Down the Middle
This seasons roster may present the deepest well of options for fifth year head coach Adam Nightingale at the center position. Through the first three games of the season the first through fourth line centers have been: Junior Cullen Potter (2025 NHL 1st round selection Calgary Flames), Sophomore Eric Nilson (2025 NHL 2nd round selection Anaheim Ducks), Sophomore Cayden Lindstrom (2024 NHL 1st round selection Columbus Blue Jackets), and Minnesota transfer Senior Jimmy Clark (2023 NHL 7th round selection Minnesota Wild). This is crucial to the Spartans long term, as they have seen a center injured at the end of the past two seasons, that greatly impacted the lineup. The Spartans also feature Freshman Mason West (2026 NHL 1st round selection Chicago Blackhawks) and Jack Hextall (2026 NHL 1st round selection Calgary Flames) who can move into the center role.
Each center has scored for the Spartans this season, with six assists between them as well. Getting performances like this from the center of the lineup will be crucial to achieve the goals the team has for themselves.
No Drop Off In Net
The departure of Trey Augustine to pro hockey was always going to be a massive change in East Lansing. Augustine flipping his commitment from Michigan to the Spartans was an early win for the Nightingale staff, massively shifting the narrative around the program, and for three years, minus NCAA games, Augustine delivered on all the hype and promise. Augustine's last season in the program saw his most wins in a season (24) as well as his best save percentage (.929). Replacing a steady presence in net was going to be difficult especially as the Spartans for the second off-season in a row lost a backup goaltender to the Minnesota Golden Gophers (this time it was Columbus Blue Jackets draft pick Melvin Strahl).
With a tall task ahead, insert 6'5" Freshman and 2025 1st round NHL draft pick Joshua Ravensbergen. Ravensbergen has started his college career red hot with three goals against in two games played, and a .932 save percentage. The competition will improve dramatically so a .932 will be hard to maintain but there is reason for optimism that the Spartans have not dropped off in net at all, while improving the talent in front of their goaltender as well.
New Hampshire Wildcats (2-1-1)
Beginning Friday night in Durham, N.H. Michigan State begins a series against Hockey East opponent New Hampshire. The Wildcats stand at 2-1-1 on the season, as they swept Colgate last weekend, after tying Merrimack and losing 10-2 to No. 8 Quinnipiac in the previous two weeks. These two teams opened the 2025-26 season against each other in East Lansing, with the Wildcats pulling a shocking 4-3 upset in night one, before the Spartans rebounded with a 2-0 win to earn a series split.
The Spartans have had success against Hockey East opponents under Nightingale going 5-2 over the past two seasons, and 6-5 overall. Nightingale enters this series with a career record of 98-44-11, putting him two wins away from 100 which would be a record for a MSU coach reaching 100 wins if he can get the two this weekend. That would have Nightingale at 100 wins in 155 games, besting Ron Mason who achieved 100 wins at MSU in 182 games coached.
If the Spartans want to sweep the Wildcats there will be two players to watch as Senior Nick Ring (3) and Freshman Mason Zebeski have three goals a piece, totaling half of the 12 goals scored on the season by the Wildcats. Ring plays first line center for the Wildcats and will play a large role if the Wildcats can pull off a home upset this weekend. For the Spartans, there is nothing to change from how they played against Northern Michigan and RIT, continue to roll your lines, work on avoiding costly penalties, and let the talent play to its strengths.
Game Info
Time: 7:00 PM Friday and Saturday night
Stream: ESPN+
