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Kovalchuk, Parise come up big in Devils’ first win

New York Islanders v New Jersey Devils

of the New Jersey Devils of the New York Islanders at the Prudential Center on October 1, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey.

Bruce Bennett

Simply put, the New Jersey Devils will go as far as Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise will take them this season.

Things didn’t start out well at all, especially for Kovalchuk, who was on the ice for all three of the Philadelphia Flyers’ goals in a 3-0 loss Saturday. Things looked a lot better for both star wingers today, though, as they powered the Devils to a 4-2 win over the troubled Carolina Hurricanes.

Kovalchuk scored the game-winner and added two assists while Parise scored two goals of his own, while both forwards registered four shots on goal. Those are the kinds of numbers that the top-heavy Devils hope to see - especially at home.

That being said, they took it to a flawed Hurricanes team that has essentially the same depth issues that the Devils will struggle with. People with short memories might count New Jersey out, but this team finds ways to get to the postseason in most cases. Fair or not, it all comes down to Parise and Kovalchuk in 2011-12, though.