The Gophers were well-aware of what was at stake this weekend at Mariucci Arena. A pair of wins against No. 12-ranked Michigan and its nation-best offense would not only do a lot for their confidence, but could equate to a first-place standing in the Big Ten race.

A four-game unbeaten streak put the Gophers six points behind first-place Michigan entering the series and Friday night's 6-2 victory cut that deficit to three -- the value of one win in conference play. Michigan State helped the Gophers' rise in the standings by upsetting second-place Penn State on Friday.

"We want to win the Big Ten title and we gotta go through Michigan," Gophers senior captain Kyle Rau said on Friday night. "So we're still not where we want to be. We gotta beat them again [Saturday]."

Michigan (8-3-0, 24 points) is holding a two-point edge of Penn State (7-3-1, 22 points) in the Big Ten standings, and the Gophers (6-2-3, 21 points) are in a close third with Michigan State (5-4-2, 19 points) not far behind.

If the Gophers win Saturday night and Michigan State wins or ties against Penn State, the Gophers will find themselves tied for first place with four regular-season series remaining, including four games against Penn State. The Gophers are the defending Big Ten regular-season champion, but have been as low as fifth in the standings this season.

"We have a chance and we wouldn't have had a chance if we didn't win Friday," Gophers coach Don Lucia said. "We have an opportunity to put ourselves back in it with a win [Saturday]."

The Gophers listed 19 skaters on the pregame lineup with Jack Glover as the extra defenseman. Senior forward Christian Isackson was injured in the first period on Friday and didn't return to the game because of a lower-body injury.

If Isackson plays Saturday, he'll be bumped from his usual center position to right wing on the fourth line. A.J. Michaelson will assume the center role, and I wouldn't be surprised if Isackson was scratched for Glover after pregame warmups.

Isackson has a goal and assist over the last four games.

Friday replay: Gophers skate with purpose, show off the skill that fans have been waiting for in 6-2 upset of No. 12 Michigan, read Friday night's game story and postgame blog. Watch postgame video of Gophers senior forward Kyle Rau, junior defenseman Mike Reilly and coach Don Lucia.

• Gophers' Saturday lines
Forwards (left wing, center, right wing)
Leon Bristedt, Kyle Rau, Hudson Fasching
Sam Warning, Travis Boyd, Seth Ambroz
Taylor Cammarata, Justin Kloos, Vinni Lettieri
Ryan Reilly, A.J. Michaelson, Christian Isackson

Defensemen (left, right)
Brady Skjei, Ryan Collins
Mike Reilly, Jake Bischoff
Ben Marshall, Michael Brodzinski
Extra defenseman: Jack Glover

Goaltenders
Adam Wilcox, Nick Lehr, Ryan Coyne

• Series Preview: Gophers vs. No. 12 Michigan
7:05 p.m. Saturday at Mariucci Arena
TV/radio/live stream: FSN Plus; 1500-AM; BTN2Go.

Gophers at a glance: The outlook for the Gophers (15-9-3, 5-2-3 Big Ten) hasn't been this positive in three months. They're riding a five-game unbeaten streak and more importantly showing signs of continuity on the ice. They've scored 27 goals in the past four games and given up only two in each of the last three games. For more on the Gophers and Michigan's nation-best offense, read the full series preview.

• Gophers senior forward Travis Boyd has emerged as someone that can lead the Gophers out of the deep hole they dug themselves into over the past three months. Read about Boyd's maturity process, and watch video of Boyd, Gophers coach Don Lucia and senior forward Sam Warning previewing the weekend series.