- The Michigan Wolverines are -135 moneyline favorites over Denver in Thursday’s Frozen Four semifinal
- Denver freshman Johnny Hicks has yet to lose a college game, riding a 14-0-1 record since taking over in net
- See my Michigan vs Denver prediction, odds, picks and how to watch this 2026 Frozen Four semifinal below
The 2026 Frozen Four nightcap features two of the most decorated programs in college hockey history. The No. 1 overall seed Michigan Wolverines (31-7-1) take on the Denver Pioneers (27-11-3) in a Thursday night semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Michigan won the Big Ten Tournament and rolled through Bentley and Minnesota Duluth in the Albany Regional. Denver took the NCHC title and steamrolled Cornell and defending champ Western Michigan in Loveland by a combined 11-2.
The Pioneers haven’t lost a game since January 23, going 14-0-1 in their last 15. Here are my Michigan vs Denver prediction, picks, odds and how to watch the second 2026 Frozen Four semifinal.
Michigan vs Denver Prediction
- Denver Moneyline (+105 at DraftKings)
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My Michigan vs Denver prediction is on the Pioneers at plus money. The whole pick comes back to one guy: Johnny Hicks.
The 20-year-old freshman has a 14-0-1 record and has never lost a college game he’s started. He leads the nation with a .958 save percentage and a 1.12 goals-against average, allowing more than two goals just once all season.
Michigan owns the top offense in the country at 4.6 goals per game and has the No. 1 power play converting at 31.6%. Those numbers are scary.
But Hicks has been a wall against everyone, including a 50-of-52 effort in the regional and a double-overtime win in the NCHC championship game against Minnesota Duluth. If Michigan is going to break him, they’ll need to do it with greasy goals at the net front, not perimeter shots.
Denver also brings the kind of postseason pedigree Michigan hasn’t matched. David Carle is 14-3 in NCAA tournament games and has won two national titles.
The Pioneers have been here three years in a row and four times in the last five seasons. They knocked out the Wolverines in overtime in the 2022 Frozen Four, and they have seven players from their 2024 championship team still on the roster.
Michigan’s offense will get its chances. But Hicks plus a balanced Denver attack with five players over 30 points is enough for me to take the underdog price.
Michigan vs Denver Picks
- Denver +1.5 Puck Line (-220 at DraftKings)
Here’s where I like the value with my Michigan vs Denver picks. If you don’t want to take the Pioneers straight up at +105, the puck line is the safer way to back them.
Denver hasn’t lost in 15 games and has played in four overtime contests during that run. Hicks alone makes a multi-goal Wolverines win unlikely.
Even if Michigan finds a way to win this game, getting it done by two or more goals against the hottest goalie in college hockey feels like a tall ask. Denver +1.5 gives me coverage in regulation, overtime and a one-goal Michigan win.
- Under 6.5 Goals (-135 at DraftKings)
I know Michigan leads the country in scoring at 4.6 goals per game, but Hicks has only allowed three goals in a game once all season. He’s posted a 1.12 GAA across his 15 starts, and Denver ranks third nationally in scoring defense.
On the other end, Michigan freshman Jack Ivankovic has been excellent in his own right with a .923 save percentage and a 2.13 GAA.
The Wolverines also got just seven minutes from Michael Hage in the regional final due to injury, and his status remains a question mark. Without their top playmaker at full strength, Michigan’s offense loses some of its punch.
Two elite freshman netminders, two structured defensive teams, and Frozen Four pressure all point to a tighter game than the books are pricing.
- Game to Go to Overtime (+440 at DraftKings)
Wrapping up my Michigan vs Denver picks, I’m taking a longshot swing on overtime at +440. Denver has played in four overtime games during their unbeaten run, including the NCHC semifinal against Western Michigan and a double-OT win in the conference championship.
Hicks doesn’t lose, and he tends to drag games into extra time. Michigan’s last Frozen Four loss to Denver also came in overtime back in 2022.
With two evenly matched teams and elite goaltending on both ends, this feels like the spot to take a chance on bonus hockey.
Michigan vs Denver Odds
Looking at the Michigan vs Denver odds, the Wolverines are -135 moneyline favorites, which gives them roughly a 57% implied probability. Denver’s +105 price translates to about a 49% implied chance, basically a coin flip.
A $100 bet on the Pioneers to win outright would return $105 in profit, which feels like real value given how they’ve played over the last two months.
The total sits at 6.5 goals, with the over priced at +105 and the under at -135. That’s a higher number than the Wisconsin-North Dakota total, which makes sense given Michigan’s nation-leading offense.
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Odds as of April 9 at DraftKings. Check out SBD’s DraftKings promo code to bet on the 2026 Frozen Four.
Michigan vs Denver How to Watch
Puck drop for the Michigan vs Denver Frozen Four semifinal is set for 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT on Thursday, April 9 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The game will air on ESPN2 and stream on ESPN+. The winner moves on to Saturday’s national championship game at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN against either Wisconsin or North Dakota.
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