Zach Parise FINALLY scores his first goal for Islanders

It finally happened. Zach Parise scored his first goal for the New York Islanders. It took 22 games plus a period, but he scored his first goal. A short-handed goal mind you. Something Parise hasn't done since November of 2019.

That first goal with the Isles came against his former team and on what would have been his dad J-P Parise's 80th birthday. Just in case him scoring against his former club wasn't poetic enough for you.

New York Islanders Zach Parise finally scores his firs goal

The goal itself was a nice breakaway tally. It's a nice play to settle the puck and then find the gap behind goalie Akita Schmidt. What may have been nicer though was the setup by Jean-Gabriel Pageau along the wall.

Zach Parise has played the right way since day one of the season but the goals just haven't been there for him. Before tonight's game, NaturalStatTrick has Parise with 2.88 ixG at 5on5 and 3.6 in all situations. Parise should arguably be at four goals on the season, before tonight's game.

But he's only got the one. For now.

You have to think this goal opens things up for Parise. Again, he's been playing well enough to warrant at least four goals by now. A pace that would have him score approximately 15 goals over a full 82 game season.

Which admittedly isn't a lot. But considering he's on a league-minimum $750,000 you'll take those 15 goals all day. Of course, he's got some ground to make up. That 15 goal pace is based on his 3.6 ixG in all situation, which isn't the reality of Parise's production right now.

BUT, getting that first goal can get that proverbial monkey off a players back. And if that player is already playing well through a goal-less stretch, more goals might actually be coming.