The NCAA Men’s College Hockey Tournament gets underway today and tomorrow, with 16 teams chasing a national championship — including, of course, the No. 3-seeded Michigan State Spartans.

If you clicked on this looking for how to watch, be sure to check out my game preview article for all of the TV, streaming, and matchup details.

But if you’re here to see how well I can do predicting every game in the college hockey playoffs, then you’re in the right place.

My Men’s College Basketball East Region prediction was nearly spot-on, with just one miss. Now, I’m turning my attention to the college hockey bracket — and this time, I’m aiming for perfection.

So let’s get into it.

This one feels pretty straightforward.

The Wolverines have been one of the top teams in the country all season. They spent plenty of time in the No. 1 spot before slipping after a series split with Michigan State. Still, Michigan stayed right in the mix, and after the Spartans dropped three of their last five games, the Wolverines climbed back to the top line.

Bentley just doesn’t have the firepower to hang here. Michigan should take care of business and move on comfortably.

Prediction: Michigan 5, Bentley 1

This one should be a blast.

A late-night showdown between two dangerous teams, this game has all the ingredients to be one of the best first-round matchups. Penn State scored 11 more goals than Minnesota Duluth this season, but they’ve also allowed 20 more.

The Nittany Lions have freshman phenom Gavin McKenna leading the charge, but this game may come down to who plays better in net. I’d love to see a Michigan vs. Penn State regional final, and I think Penn State’s strength of schedule helps push them through.

Prediction: Penn State 3, Minnesota Duluth 2

This one could be a grind.

Minnesota State enters the tournament allowing just 78 goals on the season — the fourth-fewest among playoff teams. Western Michigan has also been strong defensively, giving up only 88 goals all year.

Still, Western has the bigger offensive edge, and the defending champion Broncos know how to finish. It may not be flashy, but they should survive and advance.

Prediction: Western Michigan 2, Minnesota State 1

This might be the most evenly matched game of the opening round.

Cornell has allowed the fewest goals in the country this season with just 64, while Denver ranks among the nation’s best defensively as well. But the biggest difference here is offensive punch.

Cornell simply hasn’t scored enough this year compared to the rest of the field. Denver has. And in March, eventually, someone has to light the lamp.

Prediction: Denver 2, Cornell 0

If we get this matchup, it’ll have all the drama.

Penn State would absolutely have a shot, but Michigan has just looked too complete all year long. This feels like the kind of game that goes down to one bounce, one save, or one overtime winner.

I think the Wolverines survive.

Prediction: Michigan 3, Penn State 2 (OT)

Western Michigan would be just two wins away from another title game appearance, but there’s something about this Denver team that feels dangerous.

As much as I’d be pulling for Western here, Denver just feels like the team that refuses to go away. I think the Broncos’ run ends here.

Prediction: Denver 5, Western Michigan 3

Michigan has just been too good this season.

You can talk about how close some of their games have been or how tough the path gets from here, but the bottom line is simple: the Wolverines feel championship-bound. They already grabbed the Big Ten Tournament title, and I think they punch their ticket to the national championship game.

Prediction: Michigan advances

This one gets the Spartans’ run started.

I’ve already broken this game down in full in a separate preview, but in short, I like Michigan State to get through. It may not be comfortable, but March isn’t supposed to be.

Prediction: Michigan State 4, UConn 3

At first glance, this looks pretty even offensively. But once you dig deeper, Dartmouth has been much better defensively, allowing nearly 40 fewer goals than Wisconsin this season.

The Badgers could absolutely come out angry after getting blasted by Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament, but Dartmouth feels steadier. Dartmouth returns to the tournament for the first time since 1980 and continues their season of winning.

Prediction: Dartmouth 4, Wisconsin 3

Merrimack earned its way into the tournament, but this is a brutal draw.

North Dakota is one of the best teams in the country and holds the edge in just about every category. Unless absolute chaos breaks loose, this should be a comfortable opening win.

Prediction: North Dakota 6, Merrimack 1

This is one of the more interesting first-round games.

Quinnipiac has scored the second-most goals in the nation this season, nearly 40 more than Providence. Providence has been stronger defensively, but when playoff hockey gets tight, I tend to trust the team that can score in bunches.

So give me the upset.

Prediction: Quinnipiac 3, Providence 2 (OT)

This would be a war.

I fully expect this one to go overtime, with both teams knowing a Frozen Four trip is on the line. Michigan State has looked shaky at times lately, but they’ve also looked like one of the best teams in the country for most of the season.

And if the Spartans get into a one-goal game in March? I’ll take my chances.

Prediction: Michigan State 4, Dartmouth 3 (OT)

What is March without at least one true bracket-buster?

I already have Denver pulling a mini upset on the other side, but this is the one where I really want to throw a wrench into the bracket. Quinnipiac can score with anyone, and if they get hot, they’re dangerous enough to take down one of the best teams in the field.

So yes — let’s get weird.

Prediction: Quinnipiac advances

Maybe I’m trying to manifest this matchup. Maybe I’m making the road a little easier for the Spartans in my own head.

But even if this is the matchup, Quinnipiac would still be dangerous. They can score, and there are no guarantees this deep into the tournament.

That said, I’m not picking Michigan State to lose here.

Prediction: Michigan State 6, Quinnipiac 4

This is the matchup we all want.

The Wolverines and Spartans split their four games this season. They’ve already played on a neutral site — Little Caesars Arena, where Michigan State controlled the game and got the win. Now imagine these two meeting for a national title under the brightest lights possible.

This would be everything college hockey fans could ask for.

Rivalry. Physicality. Elite scorers. High-end goaltending. A game that feels like it could swing on one mistake or one heroic play.

And if it comes down to overtime?

Give me the Spartans.

Prediction: Michigan State 4, Michigan 3 (OT)

And just like that, Michigan State ends the drought and brings home its first national championship since 2007.