Parise's big opening night not enough for Wild

DENVER -- Opening night Zach Parise is typically a pretty good version of Zach Parise. And despite Minnesota's 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night in the first regular season game of the 2018-19 campaign, opening night Zach Parise again came to play.
The Wild forward scored the only goal for Minnesota in a game that was a one-goal contest until the Avs potted a pair of empty-net tallies late.
But even more than the goal, Parise was hounding pucks around the net and wreaking havoc near the goal crease all night long.

All in all, it was a vintage night for the veteran, who was participating in his 13th opening night contest.
"I felt great, really. Made some good decisions with the puck and had a lot more opportunities to get another one," Parise said. "Wish I could have found that other one and tied it up for us."
His goal six minutes into the game was a thing of beauty. First, he forechecked the Avs into a turnover near the offensive blue line. Then he went to the top of the crease, created just enough separation and hammered a Mikko Koivu pass into the net, giving the Wild a brief 1-0 lead.

It was the kind of goal Parise has scored a million of in his career.
"That's where he's made his living," said Wild coach Bruce Boudreau. "He goes to the front of the net, he's going to score a lot of goals. That's what he did."
Of course, scoring goals on opening night is nothing new to Parise. He entered the game tied for third among active NHLers with 15 points in opening night contests. His 10 goals is now tied for the most.
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But if there's a secret sauce for Parise when it comes to first-game goals, he said he's yet to figure it out.
"I don't know what it is, even going back to New Jersey, I felt like it's that first-game excitement and I don't have any other explanation for it, other than I just happened to score in the opener," Parise said. "A lot of opening nights against Colorado and I feel like I always do well against these guys."
Three years ago, Parise scored an opening night hat trick as the Wild won 5-4 in come-from-behind fashion. His first game with the Wild in 2013 also came against Colorado, a game in which he had two assists.
"It's a game you're thinking about all summer," said Wild forward Eric Staal. "It's a long year, but that first one, you're antsy and waiting for it all summer long. He was buzzing early and on the puck. I thought he looked pretty solid all night."
Staal has gone head to head Parise for years when both were in the Eastern Conference. The Parise that was on the ice for the Wild on Thursday looked a lot like the ones Staal saw years ago when Parise played for the New Jersey Devils and Staal was a member of the Carolina Hurricanes.
"He was hounding pucks, he was on pucks, was on the forecheck and created a lot of loose pucks," Staal said. "That's his game and it was nice to see him get that one. Too bad it wasn't in a winning effort, but we'll rebound be ready to go for Saturday."
Related:
- Postgame Hat Trick: Avalanche 4, Wild 1 - WATCH: Wild locker room postgame