Wild's Parise ends scoring slump with hat trick on ex-teammate Backstrom
Zach Parise seems pretty happy to see Niklas Backstrom back in Minnesota.
Backstrom, who appeared in 409 games with the Wild up to last season and remains the franchise wins leader (194), made the start for the visiting Calgary Flames on Thursday, and Parise took full advantage of the fact it was only the goalie's second start in over a year.
The slump is over. Zach Parise has two goals in the first seven minutes tonight. Parise entered the game with two goals in his last 25.
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) March 25, 2016
The first goal wasn't how Backstrom wanted to reacquaint himself with the state of hockey, and the second wasn't much prettier.
Jumping on loose pucks for his first... Parise went and buried another 46 seconds later. #CGYvsMINhttps://t.co/RMskyVnn7c
— NHL (@NHL) March 25, 2016
Parise added his third goal of the game before the end of the first period to complete the hat trick.
Parise scored his hat trick in a span of 11:12 - the fastest three goals by one player in @mnwild history (12:05 - Gaborik on Dec. 20, 2007)
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 25, 2016
The goals, which came moments before a video tribute for the returning Backstrom, were Parise's 20th, 21st and 22nd of the season, as well as his 100th, 101st and 102nd for the Wild.
Parise finished with four points, and the Wild won 6-2 to remain in the West's second wild-card spot.