Zach Parise has one goal and no assists in four games in the first round. Parise also has a minus-six rating in the series. That's not exactly the kind of numbers you want out of one of your best players and major summer acquisition, but Kyle Brodziak attempted to take the pressure off of Parise. "We understand that they're playing their best players and defenders against our top guys," Brodziak said. "It makes it very difficult for them. That's when depth has to step up." They'll probably need both their depth players and stars playing better if they want to overcome their 3-1 series deficit.

Zach Parise was held in check for most of night as the Wild failed to get anything going offensively in their 3-0 Game 4 loss to Chicago on Tuesday. Parise, and linemates Mikko Koivu and Charlie Coyle, each finished a minus-2, which a discouraging sign for the Wild, who need the line to produce if they have any chance at turning the series around. The Wild have had a particularly difficult time on the powerplay, without a goal in 15 chances through four games.

Coach Mike Yeo is thinking about splitting up his top line of Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu and Charlie Coyle. While the troika has 17 shots on goal in the first two games, they have yet to find the back of the net. "If we think (splitting up the top line) is what we need, then that's something we would be willing to do, for sure," Yeo said. "Again, we're coming home. It's a little bit of a different situation now. . . . I think because we played one game that wasn't good, I don't think we need to reinvent the wheel here." Stay tuned as the Wild play Chicago in Game 3 Sunday.

Zach Parise was scoreless for the second straight game despite taking seven shots in Friday's Game 2 loss. Five of Parise's shots came during a power play in the second period, including three in rapid-fire order that Corey Crawford somehow kept out of the net. The seven total shots are five more than the high-priced addition had in Game 1, but it was hardly enough for the Wild to keep up with the high-flying Blackhawks. Perhaps Parise and the Wild will be able to get some offensive momentum going behind a home crowd Sunday. If they don't, it'll likely be a quick series.

The Minnesota Wild's top line of Mikko Koivu, Charlie Coyle, and Zach Parise had just five shots on goal in Game 1. "I was going to look at a little of the film, of our lines and shifts," Parise said. "I thought we had too many what I call one-and-done plays, where we get into the zone and try to make a play and it gets broken up and we're back out of our zone. We'll have to see and find things we can do a little better and hold onto the puck a little more. That's been one of our strengths this season, of our line, is getting the puck down low, and I don't think we did a very good job of that last night." Chicago earned a 2-1 overtime victory on Tuesday.

Zach Parise tickled the twine for the Wild in their 3-1 win over the Avalanche on Saturday night. The win sealed a playoff spot for the first time in five years. They'll have their work cut out for them, though, facing the Presidents' Trophy-winning Blackhawks in the first round. Devin Setoguchi and Pierre-Marc Bouchard potted the other goals.

Zach Parise was the only goal scorer for Minnesota in a 4-1 loss to the Flames Sunday. Calgary goaltender Joey MacDonald was stifling in this game and the Wild's top line is the only one that managed to beat the Flames backup. Charlie Coyle and Mikko Koivu drew assists on the marker.

Zach Parise tied for the team-high with four shots on goal in a 2-0 loss Thursday. Parise has two assists in six games this month. That slump wouldn't be that jarring if it didn't correspond with his team's offensive collapse. They've been shut out of three of their last four games. Minnesota gained a lot of ground in the playoff race in March, but they've largely squandered it.

Zach Parise scored and assisted in Minnesota's 4-3 shootout win over Los Angeles on Saturday night. Parise had a strong first month, slowed in February but was lethal again in March with seven goals and 15 points in as many games. Matt Cullen and Charlie Coyle were the others who lit the lamp for Minnesota, while Mikko Koivu had two assists.

Zach Parise has six goals and 12 points in his last nine games. Parise is now up to 27 points this season and is showing the hockey world that perhaps the Wild were smart in giving him and Ryan Suter 13-year/$98 million contracts as they are in first place in the Northwest Division.