The Parisalchuk Experiment

by devilssan2 on Nov 3, 2011 10:13 AM EDT

It seems so obvious... so simple. Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk are two of the NHL's brightest stars, throw them on a line together and you'll get magic. At the beginning of this season I was an advocate for this line; memories of the experiment's failure at the beginning of last season were overpowered by the logic that these two players are far too skilled to fail.

But as we've learned, for the second time, over the past couple of games... they don't work together. They have incompatible skills, and putting them on a line together is destroying what both Zach and Kovy are good at.

For Kovalchuk, that's owning the ice: taking the puck and playing as a one-man team in the offensive zone, looking for the net and shutting out the rest of the world. Having Zach out there with him is tempting Ilya into making bad passes, because he feels obligated to get the puck to his equally skilled line-mate.

For Zach, a player who's calling card is his excellent team play, he looks lost out there while Kovy skates around in circles desperately looking for a lane. Zach needs line-mates who are team players, willing to go out there and work as a unit.

The experiment needs to end now; we've only won one game since it began, that win coming mostly because of a three-goal performance by the second line, with almost no contribution from Parisalchuk.

We can be a winning team again, of course our issues are far deeper than a lack of production from the first line - but if we were to split it up, and give Zach line-mates who will play with him, and Kovy line-mates he can over shine, it'll certainly fix one of our issues.

What do you think? Chime in in the comments section.

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Comments

I think you summed it up beautifully, but Kovy does have to play w/ someone until TZ gets back so I don’t know what the answer is but ZP probably isn’t. Kovy – Henrique-Tedenby…….. hey why not it appears PDB is just throwing darts at the wall right now…and ZP-Elias- Sykora..and for 3rd line Zubes- Carter-DC

Kovy is a greatly skilled player and maybe he needs to just do his thing and not worry about trying to play unselfishly. He really needs to get to the net though as his shooting % is god awful. hes the guy on this team and goal scoring is what he needs to bring and w/o his production Devs will struggle to play .500.

by 68devils on Nov 3, 2011 10:29 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I agree with all of this, especially the Kovy-Henrique-Tedenby line. That is if Tedenby can become more of a playmaker rather than a dangler. The kid has wheels, has some dirty hands and if can start finding players in open spaces it’ll be the resolution to the scoring issues that I’m hoping for.

There is no chemistry between the two players, and they both need to be doing what they do best. Take them off of the same line, because it seems that neither of them can even pass the puck to each other accurately.

It’s really hard to not expect either of these two to put in at least 41 goals this year. The way these two can play, every night either one of the two should have scored. Elias at his age shouldn’t be the only player on our team pushing for a point a game this year.

"It’s not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what’s required."
Sir Winston Churchill

by La Mer on Nov 3, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think you can draw a good conclusion one way or another.

Maybe not with them on each wing. I don’t think at Kovy at LW and Parise at C was given enough time. They played two or three games and then broke it up.

It puzzles me a bit. But whatever. If you ask me. Kovy needs someone to play give and go with. Someone who excels as a passer.

by NJDOhio on Nov 3, 2011 5:54 PM EDT reply actions

Kovy needs someone to play give and go with. Someone who excels as a passer.

Paging Patrick Elias. Paging Patrick Elias…. has anyone seen a Patrick Elias in the building?

….

Seriously…. Elias is a good enough finisher that teams have to respect him. He’s a good enough passer that he fits the role you have in mind. He also had wonderful chemistry with Kovy during the tail end of the 2009-2010 season (each of them were right up there around one point-per-game following the trade, over a stretch of 27 regular season games and the playoff series against Philadelphia).

by acasser on Nov 4, 2011 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Never heard of Patrick Elias, have heard of Patrik Elias though

And Kovalchuk speeds away, great moves, busting through, DID YOU SEE THAT?

by KovyisLove on Nov 4, 2011 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Tonight: 1 goal from Parise, 1 goal from Henrique, 2 assists from Kovalchuk. All at 5-on-5.

I’m not saying, I’m just saying.

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 Nov 3, 2011 11:43 PM EDT reply actions

beat me to the comment on this one John

by David Fine on Nov 3, 2011 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions

a) There really wasn’t any collaboration between Kovy and Zach on the two goals their line scored. b) I never said anything about Henrique.

Marc R.

by devilssan2 on Nov 4, 2011 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

If the two were so awful together, then they would have done nothing and Henrique would have suffered.

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 Nov 4, 2011 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Look, I love both Zach and Kovy, they’re probably my two favorite players in the league. Despite what i’ve said, I also believe that it’s possible they can perform together. But from what i’ve seen, last night’s game included, I believe the team is more effective with them on separate lines.

Marc R.

by devilssan2 on Nov 4, 2011 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions