Hakstol Pre-game comments:
Alaska is a team that cycles well and takes the puck to the net, so we'll have to play well defensively. Offensively, we just need to keep doing what we've been doing and cycle the puck well.
I think we played one of our best game here against Tech. We need to do similar things to this team this weekend. They clog the neutral zone well, so we need to move as a team of 5 to get past that.
Alaska doesn't pack it in low as much as Tech. We saw the exact opposite last weekend in Mankato. These guys are probably in between.
We tried Trupp on the top line last week, and quite frankly, it wasn't working real smooth. Real easy to go back to his regular line and they were great Saturday night. We're anxious to see what Kozek can do with Oshie and Duncan, but overall, we're still looking for a fit there.
Team defense comes down to team pride. It's something that everyone can do. Obviously, it starts with Phil, but the guys in front of him have been battling hard, and that's something that needs to continue.
We have to keep putting pucks on net during the PP. I know their coach doesn't feel their goaltending has been good enough so they're going with a young guy tonight. We need to get pucks to the front of the net.