Just when faith was fading, the Devils have fresh, massive inspiration to revive their Preposterous Dream.
Zach Parise, their reigning two-time team MVP, joined them in practice Thursday after missing 61 games.
Parise is not expected to face the Penguins in Pittsburgh on Friday, he would not rule out playing in Saturday’s season-in-a-bottle showdown with the Sabres in Buffalo.
He’s almost certain to be in the lineup Wednesday when the Islanders visit Prudential Center.
“You could feel the excitement building up in the locker room, knowing he’s coming back,” Andy Greene said. “He’s such an important player for us.”
Parise accompanied the team on its two-game, two-day road trip, and his presence puts the Devils on notice that they must win the games they’ll still play without him or his return won’t matter.
“I wanted to come back and help these guys win,” Parise said. “We have a chance and that’s all we can ask. We have a chance to get in and see where we can go.”
The Devils are nine points out of the final Eastern playoff berth with nine games left, an even more improbable task than the 27-point deficit they’re trying to erase in 41 games. They are 24-6-2 in the second half, but have lost three of their past four.
“We still believe, and he’s going to help us a lot, that’s for sure,” said Ilya Kovalchuk, who could find more room with Parise playing.
Parise has been skating since March 3 following right knee cartilage repair surgery Nov. 2. He passed his final strength test this week and said he would have practiced with the team Wednesday, if it hadn’t been given the day off. The Devils liked what they saw.
“He hasn’t lost his touch,” Jacques Lemaire said. “You could tell just in his first practice. Three-on-three, I think he scored two goals.”
Travis Zajac said, “It’s amazing. He’s been gone so long and yet he still does the same things that made him a great player. Even in practice, he never gives up on plays, always chasing down rebounds.”
Parise said sitting out until September would further heal his knee and rebuild unused muscles, but said the playoff chase, along with his inner drive, prompt him to play how.
“The competitive nature of any player is – when you’re healthy, you play,” Parise said. “There’s a little added incentive when you’re in this [playoff chase] situation.”