NEWARK, N.J. -- Zach Parise sat his locker, head hung low, recounting how close he and his teammates came to grabbing a late lead Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night at Prudential Center.
With the score tied 1-1 early in the third period, the Devils' captain had a bouncing puck find his stick at the left side of the net with Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick far out of position at the opposite post. Parise didn't get all of the puck, but got enough of it to direct toward the net. However, instead of the Devils taking their first lead of the game, Quick got his stick on it.
Parise swept the puck into the net off the ensuing chaotic scramble in the crease, but he did so illegally -- with his glove.
What could Parise have done differently with such a golden opportunity?
"I could've put it in," Parise said.