Parise w/ Kovy?

by Jacques Strapp on Mar 6, 2010 1:45 PM EST

So after watching last nights game and basically every game since Kovalchuk arrived in NJ, I've had one question on my mind... Why are Kovalchuk and Parise not playing on the same line? I understand late in the game Lemaire starts shuffling lines and throwing the PP out there (not to mention they scored late in the game last night against Calgary) and who was on the ice together? Exactly. PUT THE MOST DOMINANT PLAYERS ON THE ICE TOGETHER. Hockey is about creating 2 on 1's all over the ice. You watch Parise alone and he is respectively the best forchecker in the NHL. Gritty, harworking, and relentless. Watch Kovalchuk enter the zone and he's like a train with as much speed, yet 3 more inches and 40 more lbs. 1st guy in the zone hard, 2nd guy crash the net. It's simple hockey and think of Kovy coming in the zone with his head of steam, and Parise crashing the net. Simply put the two together and you have two players who can not only keep up with each other, but FINISH!

Don't get me wrong, I love the zz pops line and we all know how well Parise and Langenbrunner did in the olympics together. Also, I understand that Kovalchuk has only played 8 games with the Devils and he may still be finding that chemistry with Zubrus and Elias. Therefore, I do think it would be fitting to let them stay together for anoth 3 or 4 games to see what they can bring. On the contrary, at this point in the season (last 20 games the Devils are 8-12 w/ a couple of overtime wins/losses) you need every surge of scoring you can get. Also, for those of you who think I may be taking credit away from the zzpops line or kovy-zubs-elias I'm not. Both of the two lines have had some really nice playmaking where I thought to myself, "wow, the Devils can have two really dominant scoring lines now." Yet, with Martin STILL out, our defense is just not the same and I hate to say it, but Marty is getting old. Tangent: I'm sick of watching him completely out of position just flopping around. Play as a goalie, not an actor trying to make the most theatrical save. I understand Brodeur's style of play (if you will call it a style), but he's too old and slow to be playing like the Marty 10 years ago.

With all of that said, I'm sure I'll catch some feedback/criticism from all of you, but depending on how the Devils fare in the next 3 games my suggested new offensive lines are such... Hear me out. (Again, this is pending whether or not the Devils can turn this struggle around QUICKLY)

Kovalchuk - Zajac - Parise

Elias - Zubrus - Langenbrunner

Rolston - Niedermayer - Clarkson

Pandolfo - McAmmond - Zharkov

Lack of defensive play (missing Martin sucks) + Weak goaltending = The need for more scoring.

Let's see how these next few games go before I lose my mind.

Please leave your comments. Thanks for reading.

All FanPosts and FanShots are the respective work of the author and not representative of the writers or other users of In Lou We Trust.

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I think the quickest and most logical answer to your question of why Parise and Kovalchuk aren’t playing on the same line together is simple: they are both Left Wing players. Thus, one would be playing out of position by default. A second answer to your question would be that, by putting two of the top players on the 1st line, the opposition could focus primarily on shutting down that line alone; it actually might make the job of the oppponent a little bit easier if they focused their attention on defending that first line properly. A third answer to your question, and perhaps the most important, is that scoring from the second line is a crucial necessity for any good team. Its important that at least two lines can score on a consistent basis. Ideally, the third line needs to score as well. But the Devils need to roll two lines that can score and hypothetically speaking you would assume that Elias and Kovalchuk are capable of being a huge scoring threat together after building some chemistry. I hope that answers your question.

"We aim above the mark to hit the mark." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

by Tim G on Mar 6, 2010 4:01 PM EST reply actions

A fourth answer to that question is: Elias-Zubrus-Kovalchuk has put up a goal in each of the last two games and was instrumental (largely Kovalchuk) in stemming the San Jose comeback after the timeout with some actual offense to keep San Jose honest in their own end – something they didn’t do much of in the first 10 minutes of the third period.

A fifth answer is that Parise and Kovalchuk are at their best when they are a main target on the line. Both are oozing talent. Both are skilled at reading the play and knowing when to shoot, when to keep the puck, and when to pass it off. By putting them together on the same line, one may diminish and not be as effective as we’d like (Though, Kovalchuk can play largely outside and Parise can play down low and around the net, so maybe it wouldn’t be such a big problem.)

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Mar 6, 2010 8:27 PM EST up reply actions

To everyones reply:

Tim, you state I think the quickest and most logical answer to your question of why Parise and Kovalchuk aren’t playing on the same line together is simple: they are both Left Wing players. This isn’t as big of a deal as you think. You keep Kovalchuk on left wing and switch Parise to right wing. If you’ve ever played hockey before, you’d know that this is not that big of a deal. Obviously you want to set up players with bombs for one timers, thus keep Kovy on left. AND, if you’re going to preach this then we need to look at the fact that Elias is a left wing player (currently on right wing) with Kovy on left and if you make the switch (Langenbrunner to 2nd, Kovy to 1st), the 2nd line is all playing their respective positions.

John, you brought up a great point. “Kovalchuk can play largely outside and Parise can play down low and around the net, so maybe it wouldn’t be such a big problem.” This is exactly why they should be playing together. Parise is awesome down low, especially at putting pucks away in front. With Kovy’s ability to get pucks to the net and Parise’s scrappy play down low you have total domination. Not to mention the puck movement between the two.

Also, a few of you mention that you need a one-two punch, but why are we underestimating the possibility of Elias-Zubrus-Langenbrunner playing together? Bottom line, the Parise and Kovy are way too talented not to playing together. It’s not like we don’t have other forwards who can put points up. Teams could try to make their main focus on shutting down the 1st line, but the combination of talent can overcome that. Plus, this gives the 2nd line more room to put points up.

After last nights 2-0 nauseating loss to Edmonton and the reg season coming to an end we need to get things going.

by Jacques Strapp on Mar 8, 2010 9:15 AM EST up reply actions

Parise has played right a couple times

not a lot, usually when Jacques is shifting things around, like when he’s on a line with Patty for example, so its not really a problem for him.

However, he’s a lefty shot, so having him on the left makes more sense. Kovy, on the other hand, is a righty shot. How bout putting Kovy on the right?

Now, I don’t think this line will happen with any regularity, because of the “1-2 punch” everybody’s mentioned, but I like the idea.

If Andrew Peters ever plays again it will be too soon.

by LangsForPres on Mar 9, 2010 10:03 AM EST up reply actions

problem with this is...

Kovy on the right stops him from setting up the one-timer from the left side.. I’d much rather have him winding up than Parise from up top. Think about it; you have Kovy up top dropping bombs and Parise in front putting rebounds in. Makes sense.

And 1-2 punch?! What 1-2 punch lol. We can’t score on any line against Edmonton? We need any scoring and like I said before… Moving Langenbrunner to 2nd line wouldn’t be horrible for the 2nd line scoring opportunities.

by Jacques Strapp on Mar 9, 2010 12:37 PM EST up reply actions

Well, its the intention of having a 1-2 punch. The fact that the Devils have had a hard getting that first jab in, nevermind the “2 punch” is besides the point. We like to appear to have a 1-2 punch, at least on paper.

I agree with you. We need some scoring (and some D, again besides the point), and Parise and Kovy together might give us some spark, and I think Langers adds fire wherever you put him. However, this is Devils. If it makes sense, you crumple it up, and throw it in the wastebasket. For example, ZZ-Zubrus is scoring goals, makes sense to keep ’em together, right? What do the Devs do? Yeah, break ’em up.

If Andrew Peters ever plays again it will be too soon.

by LangsForPres on Mar 9, 2010 2:37 PM EST up reply actions

Actually, having the left-handed shot on the right makes more sense. Their stick is toward the center of the ice when shooting.

Go Jets
Go Devils

by FrankG929 on Mar 9, 2010 5:46 PM EST up reply actions

Slightly off topic. But since we are talking Kovalchuk.
I just thought this was interesting. Stat comparisons since the trade.

Niclas Bergfors 6-1 7 Points +5 8 Games
Ilya Kovalchuk 3-5 8 Points +1 8 Games

Jersey still got the better of the deal regardless of stats if you ask me. I just thought this was interesting. It is nice to see Bergfors doing well.

As far as Parise and Kovalchuk together. I think its nice to have them on the PP. But Prefer them on seperate lines.

by NJDOhio on Mar 7, 2010 10:31 AM EST reply actions

Atlanta is firewagon hockey

Thats why Bergie is doing so well there. I think that was the best thing for him right now.

by RolliePollieKovy on Mar 7, 2010 11:20 AM EST up reply actions

At the same time, it could be the worst thing for him long term. A big reason why Zharkov’s still here while Bergfors was traded because Zharkov actually would back check and do the dirty stuff. Bergfors wouldn’t, or at least, not consistently enough.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Mar 7, 2010 6:33 PM EST up reply actions