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Tonight on NBCSN: No. 4 Notre Dame hosts Michigan State

Anders Lee

A bevy of NHL prospects for Notre Dame against struggling Michigan State as the Irish look to extend their three-game win streak.

No. 4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-4-0) vs. Michigan State Spartans (4-8-2) -- 7:30 p.m. ET

The Fighting Irish football team isn’t the only one on a roll right now. Notre Dame heads into their tw0-game weekend battle with Michigan State riding a three-game winning streak and winners of five of their last six. Meanwhile, the Spartans have lost three straight and are winless in their last four.

Notre Dame comes roaring into Friday night’s game after sweeping Lake Superior State last weekend and splitting with North Dakota two weeks ago. The Irish have been steady so far through the start of the season just dropping four games and jumping to fourth in the USA Hockey/USA Today poll. Coach Jeff Jackson has his team playing tough defense while getting outstanding goaltending from junior Steven Summerhays.

Michigan State, on the other hand, has been the polar opposite of their CCHA rivals. While they were able to get a 7-2 blowout win over rival Michigan on November 10, they’ve gone winless since then and have seen their offense come up short in the process. In their last four games, the Spartans have just three goals.

NHL prospects to watch:

If you want to see a load of talent, you’ll have your eyes peeled on Notre Dame. They’re led by Islanders prospect Anders Lee (pictured) who’s leading the Irish with 10 goals and 15 points. Fellow forwards Jeff Costello (Ottawa) and Bryan Rust (Pittsburgh) have also been piling up the points up front with 12 a piece. Freshman forward Mario Lucia (Minnesota) is healthy and scoring. He’s also on the Team USA WJC preliminary roster.

Defenseman Robbie Russo (Islanders) is a guy to watch on the blue line while Blue Jackets fans will be watching junior forward T.J. Tynan intently. If it’s big hits you’re after, Blackhawks prospect junior Stephen Johns is the guy to watch. Undrafted junior goalie Steven Summerhays has had an outstanding year for the Fighting Irish and is worth watching.

For Michigan State, the pickings are a bit slimmer with Flames prospect Matt DeBlouw getting most of the attention this year being second on the team in points with 11. Freshman defenseman John Draeger (Minnesota) has gotten off to a nice start leading the team’s blue liners with a goal and four assists.

Freshman goalie Jake Hildebrand, should he get the call to start, is the guy to watch for the Spartans. Meanwhile, undrafted sophomore Matt Berry is the team’s leading point man and goal scorer and a guy Notre Dame should track intently.