Gophers stay with proven lineup; three keys to win tonight

Nick Bjugstad is healthy and so is everyone else. So the Gophers are going with their usual lineup against Alaska Anchorage tonight. This is the first game of their best-of-three WCHA first round series.

The lines:

1st line/ Kyle Rau-Nick Bjugstad-Zach Budish ... Bjugey was named to the all-WCHA first team on Thursday, Rau to the all-rookie team. Will they play like award winners?

2nd line/ Sam Warning-Erik Haula-Jake Hansen ... Haula scored a big shorthanded goal last Friday. If the second line can score tonight, it would help a lot

3rd line/ Nate Condon-Taylor Matson-Seth Ambroz ... Lot of speed with Condon and Matson, maybe they can get a breakaway or two?

4th line/ Tom Serratore-Travis Boyd-Nico Sacchetti ... Boyd replaces senior Joey Miller who played last Saturday

Defensive pairs

2nd/ Ben Marshall-Mark Alt

3rd/ Jake Parenteau-Nate Schmidt

Goalie/ Kent Patterson ... He will make his 59th start in a row. Said sitting out a period last Friday was good for him to get a different perspective

THREE KEYS TO WIN

1. Score first ... Alaska Anchorage tries to stay back, wait for mistakes that opponents make. If the Gophers get a lead, it might force the Seawolves to change their style