Here are a few things to keep an eye on this weekend when No. 15 DU (10-7-5, 6-4-2 NCHC) plays host to No. 19 Minnesota-Duluth (8-8-5, 5-6-3-1) at Magness Arena

TV/radio: Friday – Root Sports and 104.3 FM at 7:30 p.m.

Early goals: As good as both teams are, neither has fared well when falling into an early deficit. In fact, neither team has a victory when trailing after the first or second period, making a strong start imperative.

Net gains: Sophomore Kasimir Kaskisuo has been rock solid for UMD all season, playing all but 20 minutes for the Bulldogs. His goals-against average of 1.87 is the second best in the NCHC and his save percentage of .923 is fourth best. He also has four shutouts. DU sophomore Tanner Jaillet is fifth in save percentage (.922) and sixth in gas (2.37). Since being designated the Pioneers’ full-time starter at the beginning of the year, he has allowed just 11 goals in the past six games. Not coincidentally, DU is on its second six-game unbeaten run (3-0-3) of the season during that span.

Hey Reg, what about the power play? The Pioneers’ power play wasn’t invisible during the 2015 part of the season, but at times it seemed like it. With nine power-play strikes in 16 games, DU’s man advantage was in the bottom third of Division I. With five PPGs in the past six games, it’s now middle of the pack and trending up.

Power players: Dylan Gambrell has two of the power-play markers this month, and Troy Terry, Gabe Levin and Matt Marcinew have the other three. Those worried about DU’s top line of Gambrell-Danton Heinen–Trevor Moore slumping, fear not. The trio has 17 points overall in the new year (leading scorer Gambrell has eight points, including three goals;  Moore has six points – 1/5; and Heinen has three points – 1/2).

Activating the D: Will Butcher has been at or near the top of the DU scoring list all season, but it has to be encouraging to see contributions from the rest of the blue line on the scoresheet. In addition to Butcher’s two goals and two assists to start the year, every other regular had at least a point this past weekend with Nolan Zajac adding three assists and Matt VanVoorhis two.

@MagnessMayhem