Kent Patterson had a career-high 37 saves in his last start on Saturday, when the Gophers edged Michigan State 2-1. So that's one big reason he is in the starting line-up.
Here are the iines:
First line/ Schroeder centering Hoeffel and Sacchetti. ... This is becoming a given. Nico Sacchetti better start prioducing, though, because Jacob Cepis will be eligible come January.
Second/ Carman centering Birkholz and Flynn, ,,, Neither Birkholz or Flynn has a goal. This is a second line???
Third/ Matson centering Lucia and Hansen. ... Tony has cooled off since a fast start. Taylor is still looking for his first goal. This line has potential.
Fourth/ White centering Miller and Budish. ... Coaching staff can't be too happy with White. He shouldn't be a fourth line guy. Budish has been taking some bad penalties. He was on second line for a while but his star has fallen a bir, too.
Defensive pairs
First/ Nick Leddy and David Fischer ... First game for Leddy since Oct. 30. He missed nine games with broken jaw. Still looking for first point as a Gopher.
