Nobody in the country has scored more goals than Michigan top-line center Louie Caporusso, who has netted 18, including two natural hat tricks.

Yet the sophomore hasn’t scored in nearly half of the Michigan hockey team’s 24 games — an inconsistency that has plagued not just Caporusso but the entire team. This year, the Wolverines have scored four more goals per game in wins than they have in losses, in which they've posted less than a goal on average.

Michigan’s four CCHA series splits reflect its volatile offense night to night, but this weekend's series against Michigan State couldn’t seemingly be any more predictable.

Tonight's game will be played at Joe Louis Arena, where No. 8 Michigan has won seven straight. And the Wolverines have defeated the Spartans four straight times — including in the Great Lakes Invitational championship game at the Joe in December — for their longest streak against Michigan State in 13 seasons. Michigan has won the three games this season by a combined score of 16-5.

Which leads to tonight.

“I definitely expect something different,” said Caporusso, who has two goals and three assists against the Spartans this year. “Any time this rivalry is so won by one team, obviously you make the other team really want to get back at you.”

As if the Spartans needed any more motivation, they have a chance to play spoiler for the Wolverines this weekend. Michigan, in sixth place in the conference standings, is essentially in a must-sweep situation if it wants to finish in the top four of the CCHA. Two wins would give the Wolverines a first-round bye in the conference tournament and practically assure an NCAA Tournament bid. Anything but a sweep would add even more pressure to next weekend’s matchup with No. 1 Notre Dame, which hasn't lost in 20 games.

“It’s going to be a hard-hitting game," senior forward Tim Miller said. "It’s going to be a close game. Both teams have a lot to play for right now.”

And Miller, in particular, is excited to return to the Joe.

In last year’s February game against the Spartans in Detroit, Miller scored his first two goals of the year. His other two scores came in the CCHA playoffs, which were also played at the Joe.

“I can’t wait to go,” Miller said. “I’m kind of sad that it might be one of my last games.”

But Michigan coach Red Berenson isn’t looking for Miller to spark the offense alone. At the start of practice this week, Berenson shuffled the team’s lines a bit more and even changed up the top line, which had been very successful in the season’s first half. Senior right-winger Travis Turnbull (15 points) is moving up from the third line to replace sophomore Aaron Palushaj (27 points) and rejoin Caporusso, his linemate from last year.

“I don’t know if (Berenson’s) sending a message, (or) more just trying to get some going offensively,” Caporusso said.