The University of Denver faces Minnesota-Duluth in what might be the defining series of the season. Maintain their 2016 momentum with a sweep or a win and a tie, and the Pioneers position themselves well for the NCHC tournament and potentially the NCAAs. Get swept at home and the Pioneers are staring at uphill climb to reach the NCAAs. After DU went 1-0-1 at Duluth, don’t think for a moment that the Bulldogs wouldn’t love to return the favor.

Season update: While DU has enjoyed a solid start to 2016 (3-0-3), the Bulldogs have been a bit uneven – twice losing in 3-on-3 overtimes (at Miami and vs. No. 5 St. Cloud State), then beating the RedHawks, 5-2, and losing to the Huskies, 3-1. UMD might be the Pioneers’ doppelganger in the NCHC. Like DU, UMD twice tied Notre Dame, swept Colorado College and was swept by North Dakota. There are key differences vs. other common opponents, however – the Bulldogs swept Western Michigan but were swept by Nebraska-Omaha, whereas DU swept UNO and went 1-0-1 vs. WMU. If DU is entertaining thoughts of finishing in the top half of the league this is a must-win series as the Pioneers’ 20 points have them in third place, just one up on UMD, four up on UNO and six up on WMU.

Last time they played: Until DU’s road sweep at Omaha two weeks ago, their win and tie (loss in 3-on-3, which the NCAA doesn’t recognize) at Duluth stood as their most impressive series of the season. Evan Cowley pitched a shutout in net and Jarid Lukosevicius scored two power-play goals in a 3-0 series-opening win. Adam Plant scored early for DU in the rematch, but Tony Cameranesi equalized things in the third period. From there Tanner Jaillet (45 saves) and Kasimir Kaskisuo (19) put on a goaltending clinic.

Offense: The senior tandem of Cameranesi (19 points) and Austin Farley (20, 10 goals) continues to carry the mail for the speedy, veteran team. Senior Andy Welinski (11 points) and freshman Neal Pionk (9) also chip in from the blue line. Four more forwards have eight points or more – senior Dominic Toninato (9), junior Alex Iafallo (9), freshman Adam Johnson (9) and sophomore Karson Kuhlman (8). The Bulldogs’ average 2.67 goals per game, slightly fewer than DU’s 2.91 (20^th best in D-I).

Defense: Kaskisuo, a sophomore, has played in every game and gives the Bulldogs a chance to win every time out. He has four shutouts (fifth-most nationally) to go with a .923 save percentage and a 1.86 goals-against average that is ninth-best nationally. He has played the third-most games of any goalie in the top 10. The Bulldogs have allowed just 41 goals all season, an average of 2.10 per game (ninth-best in D-I).

Special teams: Fifteen of UMD’s 56 goals have come on the power play, which hits a 16.7 percent clip (slightly less than DU’s 16.9 clip). Farley’s seven PPGs are tied for third most in Division I. … The 84.4 percent penalty kill is decent (and just ahead of DU’s 83.8 rate). Both teams are disciplined (UMD takes about 11 minutes of penalties per game, while DU takes just. 8.5).

Formulas for success/failure: If UMD gets an early lead it is very good at keeping it. However, it has not won when trailing after the first or second period. Same story for DU – which has yet to win when down after a period or two. A strong start is essential for both teams.

@MagnessMayhem