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Parise helped convince Devils to let players sleep at home before playoff home games

Zach Parise

New Jersey Devils left wing Zach Parise talks to the media during a news conference, Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in Newark, N.J. A day earlier, the Devils lost 3-0 to the New York Rangers in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference final playoff series. Game 2 is Wednesday in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

AP

Zach Parise’s tenure as team captain has already been a successful one. The New Jersey Devils have reached the Stanley Cup finals thanks to his on and off the ice contributions.

One of his more obscure off-ice accomplishments was helping convince Devils GM Lou Lamoriello to soften the team’s practice of having their players spend the night in a hotel even before home games during the postseason. This time around, players have been able to sleep in their own beds when possible.

“Times have changed,” Lamoriello said. “We didn’t have them stay every night in a hotel the last time in the playoffs. Maybe it was the right thing at the right time and it could be something you go back to. But it was the right thing at the right time. Yes, the players have a lot to do with it and also how their minds are and how they feel. We were going to Florida. At first, we were going to be down there on the road in a hotel for five nights, so when we come back did we want to go back in a hotel? So, there are different reasons that you go to certain things, but the input of the players was very important. Zach’s input, the captain’s input was very important.”

It’s not one of Parise’s biggest accomplishments, but a little extra familiarity during the most intense time of the year might not be a bad thing.