With three days until the puck drops on the Big Ten hockey season, the conference is a mess. All six teams have laid more than their fair share of goose eggs. In fact, just two teams enter conference play with a winning record.

In 16 games against the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, considered the country’s strongest this year, the Big Ten has lumbered to a 1-14-1 record. No. 12 Michigan and Penn State have managed to separate from the pack just by playing respectably.

It’s too early to be certain, but more than one Big Ten team making the NCAA Tournament looks hopeless.

With the Wolverines (7-2-2) hosting Wisconsin on Friday at Yost Ice Arena for the start of a weekend series, the Daily breaks down the competition across the conference.

Penn State (8-2-3)

There are no two ways about it — the Nittany Lions are a strong team.

The young hockey program has grown at an incredible pace over the last four years, and this season is no exception. Goaltender Eamon McAdam holds the best goals-against average and save percentage in the conference.

Penn State also ranks first in goals per game (4.15) and goals allowed per game (2.38). Yes, the team’s strength of schedule is undeniably weak — ranked 46th out of 60 teams. The Nittany Lions didn’t help themselves with a loss to unranked Notre Dame and a tie with a Niagara team that Michigan handled easily.

But the numbers don’t lie, and Penn State can suffer significant drops in productivity without another team in the conference, aside from of Michigan, sniffing its statistical leads.

Wisconsin (3-5-4)

The Badgers opened the 2015 season with six winless games. The competition was stiff at times, including visits to No. 10 Boston University and No. 1 Boston College, but the 0-3-3 start likely dashed any chance for an at-large bid for the postseason.

Wisconsin followed the slow start with several good performances against top teams like No. 4 North Dakota and No. 9 Denver. This weekend’s trip to Michigan finally gives the Badgers the chance to right the ship once and for all.

The most severe correction needs to take place in the offensive zone. Wisconsin is averaging a dismal 2.33 goals per game, last in the Big Ten, and has scored just three even-strength goals all season.

Freshman goaltender Matt Jurusik has been a nice addition since he took over the starting role. Jurusik has posted a respectable 2.89 goals-against average and save percentage of .906. Those numbers are particularly impressive because they come against the high-production offenses that Wisconsin faced in non-conference play.

Michigan State (4-7-2)

The 2015 season has not been kind to the Spartans. After finishing second in the Big Ten last season, Michigan State is heading into conference play with seven losses.

Four of those defeats came in definitive sweeps at the hands of North Dakota and Denver. The Spartans were outscored 14-4 in those contests. In games against the top 20 this season, the team is 0-6-1.

Besides the strong strength of schedule, ranked No. 22, there aren’t a lot of positives thus far for Michigan State. Defensively, the Spartans rank near the bottom of the Big Ten. Their goals-per-game average of 3.00 is good for 19th in the nation, but it is hardly enough to make up for the lapses on the other end.

Even worse, Michigan State doesn’t look likely to improve in the short term. The Spartans have another tough test this weekend when they travel to Penn State.

Minnesota (4-7-0)

One of the conference’s biggest disappointments remains an enigma. The Golden Gophers have talent in bunches, but lack even one signature win after playing several strong teams.

The Minnesota are the only Big Ten team to make the NCAA Tournament in each of the three years since the conference’s founding. But a shaky non-conference performance did the team no favors toward retaining that distinction.

The Golden Gophers looked to be turning it around after a sluggish start to the season before being swept by No. 7 St. Cloud State last weekend. Now, questions surfaced about how good they really are.

Several notable departures this spring make it likely that Minnesota will rebound to better form as the season continues, none more significant than goaltender Adam Wilcox. Wilcox left early to sign with Tampa Bay and currently plays in the AHL, but Eric Schierhorn has performed well in his absence. The freshman posted a .916 save percentage through 11 games.

On a positive note, the future does look bright for the Golden Gophers — if only because Ohio State is on the horizon.

Ohio State (3-9-0)

The Buckeyes are awful.

Junior goalie Matt Tomkins ranks last in the Big Ten in save percentage, goals-against average and winning percentage. It’s certainly not fair to heap all of the blame on the netminder, but a 3.20 goals-against average makes it nearly impossible to win games.

Ohio State travels to Minnesota this weekend, looking to improve an 0-6-0 record on the road. While a loss isn’t definite, one thing is: It’s going to be a long season in Columbus.