Parise Producing and Providing Leadership for Islanders

There aren't too many firsts left for Zach Parise in the 17th year of his NHL career, but the veteran winger unearthed some new ground on Tuesday night.
Parise netted a power-play goal and a shorthanded goal in the same game - the same period, actually - in the Islanders 5-4 shootout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Parise was the first Islander since Frans Nielsen on Feb. 23, 2016 to accomplish the feat.

It was already an impressive feat for the 37-year-old, and that didn't include the fact Parise almost had a third goal in the period, but was robbed on a backdoor feed from Mathew Barzal on one of the first shifts of the game.
"You're happy for him because he's plays multiple roles for our team and important ones and you want those guys to get rewarded," Head Coach Barry Trotz said of Parise. "So he plays the right way. That's to me why he's had success, why he's a good pro and why he's here."

Parise is enjoying a quality first season with the Islanders, with 13 goals and 18 assists in 72 games - making him the only Islanders player to appear in every game this season. Even at 37, Parise hasn't shown any signs of slowing down and signed a one-year extension with the Islanders back on March 21.
"At this point you're grateful to be playing and playing this long and enjoying coming to the rink and being part of this team and being with these guys" Parise said. "It's really been a lot of fun."
With 1,132 games on his resume, Parise has been able to impart his experience on the Islanders - and not just young players like Oliver Wahlstrom, who he played with at the start of the season. The former New Jersey Devils captain - and longtime alternate captain in Minnesota - has given tips to players like Jean-Gabriel Pageau, setting an example with his work ethic and preparation.
"He's been great. I played with him for the most part of the season and I've learned a lot," Pageau said. "Not only off the ice but on the ice. I think his work ethic is outstanding. He never quits on pucks, and the way he works every day, it's contagious when you play with him and I loved it. To see him score two tonight, for us, it's amazing. He's been good all year. And now the pucks are starting to go in. I think it's just really good for his confidence."

Trotz said Parise's fit in seamlessly with the group in the locker room since day one, but saw his comfort level really rise after scoring his first goal of the season on Dec. 11. Parise may have been snake bitten to start the season, generating chances without finding the back of the net, but he has 27 points (13G, 14A) in 50 games since that point. On the season, Parise has been on the ice for 170 high danger chances for, compared to only 151 against, so he's been able to help the Islanders create looks. More recently, they've been going in, helping to key the Islanders 13-5-1 stretch in their last 19 games.
"He's always fit in with the guys and his role," Trotz said. "Once he started to hit the back of the net a little bit, I think it started growing from that. He's just been a really reliable player all year."