Sacchetti moves up to first line

A look at the Gophers' line for tonight's game vs. Wisconsin at the Kohl Center:

First line/ Jordan Schroeder with Mike Hoeffel and Nico Sacchetti ... Schroeder had two assists in both games last weekend. ... Hoeffel has three goals this season and a team-high 17 shots ... Sacchetti is a goose egg across on goals, assists and points. This would be a good night to break out.

Second/ Mike Carman with Tony Lucia and Taylor Matson ... Lucia had a huge weekend against the Seawolves with three goals, including two shorties, and two assists. ... Matson has three assists. Carman also is pointless.

Third/ Patrich White with Jake Hansen and Zach Budish. ... Hansen and Budish are both big guys who need to assert themselves around the net. Budish, the freshman, had his first career goal last weekend.

Fourth/ Nick Larson with Josh Birkholz and Ryan Flynn. ... Coach Don Lucia has liked the way Birkholz has been playing.

Defensive pairs

First/ Cade Fairchild and David Fischer ... Fairchild takes Nick Leddy's spot with Fischer. Leddy, of course, is out with a broken jaw.

Second/ Aaron Ness and Sam Lofquist ... Two sophomores paired here.

Third/ Kevin Wehrs and Seth Helgeson.

Goalie

Probably Alex Kangas. He has started the first game of every series and played both games last weekend against Alaska Anchorage.

Out of lineup: Jake Kremer, third goalie usually does not make trips, and forward Joey Miller and defenseman Brian Schack. Schack was out early with a back problem. He is healthy not but has not played yet this season.

Keys for Gophers to tonight's game:

* Score the first goal. This is a team that has been shutout three times. Getting on the scoreboard early is big for the players' psyche.

* Get a sharp effort from Kangas. He has lowered his goals-against average to 2.01.  At his best, he can carry a team.

* Be effective on the power play. Gophers are still only 1-for-29 on the pp, but it was much better last weekend. And when it can put pressure on, it can carry over to five-on-five situations.

Your comments are welcome. I won't laugh, although I am a little punchy after a mindless, almost 5-hour drive to Badgerville. Saw two dead deer on the road, one cop car and lots of trucks -- which I passed.