Without Zach Parise, Minnesota's forwards couldn't solve Pekka Rinne

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY SportsParise Injury?

Last night had two distinct "moments" that stick out as pivotal. The first is the injury of Zach Parise at the hands of James Neal. The hit was a bad one from behind, and Parise's knee took the brunt of the damage. It was not, strictly speaking, illegal (though compelling arguments can be made for either charging or checking from behind, as per page 67 of the NHL Rule Book). Neal was running around all game, and Zach's injury was simply a major blow to the Wild.

Despite that injury, however, the Wild had a tie game in the third period and managed to lose. Despite Parise's absence, the Wild dominated play in the second period (to the tune of 60%…