J.P. Parise excited about Devils

Zach Parise, the Devils' captain, said he spoke to his father, J.P., Sunday about the big showdown looming against the Rangers.

"He was saying how excited he was,'' the younger Parise said. "He said there are four teams left, and you guys have a great chance.''

J.P. scored perhaps the Islanders' most famous Madison Square Garden goal ever when his overtime tally stunned the Blueshirts and ousted them from the playoffs on April 11, 1975. Those Islanders went on to reach the conference semis, just like these Devils have.

Pretty cool symmetry, huh? "It makes for a great story,'' Zach said.

Speaking of Zach, he is one of three Americans among the four captains remaining in the NHL playoffs, as is the Rangers' Ryan Callahan.

Why? "Figure it out,'' he said, laughing. Later, he added, "I think it's just coincidence."