If the Michigan hockey team has any chance of extending the nation’s longest active streak for consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, junior center Louie Caporusso will probably need to be the team’s most important player on offense.

The Wolverines are clearly a better team when Caporusso finds his scoring touch. A victory over Niagara in late October was the last game they won without Caporusso registering a point. Since then, he has netted seven points in the team’s five wins and just two in the team’s six losses.

So it should come as no surprise that Caporusso’s recent rise in production coincides with Michigan’s first three-game winning streak of the season. Last year’s Hobey Baker finalist is currently riding a four-game point streak, which came after Michigan coach Red Berenson made a key lineup change.

Caporusso had been on the first line with junior Carl Hagelin and freshman Chris Brown, arguably Michigan’s two most prolific offensive threats so far this season. But after four straight losses that included just four Wolverine goals, Caporusso was moved to the second line with sophomore David Wohlberg and freshman A.J. Treais.

“I put Treais with Caporusso because A.J. is really good with the puck, and I think he can make plays to Louie,” Berenson said on Nov. 16 after he made the switch. “Wohlberg and Caporusso had a good history last year, but they both got off to slow starts this year. Now we’re putting them back together and hopefully they’re ready to take off.”

Immediately, the trio shaved Berenson’s line change was wise. Caporusso put Michigan on the board off a pass from Wohlberg within 10 minutes of the line's first game together against Bowling Green.

Despite the fact that the Wolverines went on to lose their fifth straight contest, the newly formed line hasn’t looked back since.

In the last three games, it has produced five goals, none more important than the game winner last weekend by Caporusso against then-No. 15 Wisconsin. Treais and Wohlberg each earned assists on the play.

But what's clicking for Caporusso with Wohlberg and Treais that didn’t click with Hagelin and Brown?

He was clearly surrounded by talent before the switch was made. After all, Hagelin leads the team in points and Brown is tied for second. Treais, on the other hand, had only one point in nine games before the line change.

“They have learned to play off of each other,” associate head coach Mel Pearson said. “I think we’re just starting to see some of the benefits of that. But as time goes on, they have the potential to be an even higher scoring line.”

The possibility of the line becoming a more proficient offense force is contingent on Treais' maturation. While Berenson has enough confidence to play him with Caporusso and Wohlberg — Michigan’s top two goal scorers a season ago — he still believes there is room for improvement.

“I have seen (his game) grow,” Berenson said. “I’m pretty critical of players. I am expecting an end product probably sooner than we are going to see it.”

One of the major obstacles for Treais is his move from center to right wing. Center is his natural position, and Berenson thinks the shift will teach him to contribute without the puck.

And playing alongside someone of Caporusso’s caliber is another challenge that will benefit his level of play.

“When I’m playing with good players like (Louie), it elevates my game,” Treais said. “I have to be faster and I have to compete a little better when I’m with him. There’s pressure on me to play good when I’m playing with him, because I look to him as a leader on this team and as a goal scorer.”