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DeBoer isn’t worried about Parise’s game

Willie Mitchell, Zach Parise

Los Angeles Kings’ Willie Mitchell, left, and New Jersey Devils’ Zach Parise struggle to control the puck in the first period during Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals, Wednesday, June 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

AP

You may have noticed that Zach Parise hasn’t exactly been lighting up the scoreboard in the finals. Parise has no goals and no assists against the Kings but head coach Peter DeBoer isn’t worrying about his game at all.

“Zach’s game is so much more than the stat line,” DeBoer said this morning. “He’s the heartbeat of our team. He’s the identity of our team. He forechecks, he back-checks, he kills penalties, plays in all situations. He really is our barometer. He’s the guy that makes us go, whether he’s scoring or not.”

Having the confidence of the coach is a big thing, but Parise has to find a way to get on the score sheet if the Devils are going to have a chance at coming back in the series. DeBoer recognizes that times are tough for everyone when it comes to scoring and has no doubts in Parise.

“It’s tough out there right now for anybody to score. But I’m not concerned about his game. I know it’s going to come.”