5 NHL Questions: Parise dances with Devils, Stars visit Ottawa

A daily feature that asks the five biggest questions about today’s NHL action. Will they be answered? (That doesn’t count as one of the five questions.)

by Patrick Iversen

Nov 3, 2013, 4:44 PM UTC

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

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NHL Sunday: Devils visit an old friend

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1. How will Zach Parise perform against his old team?

The New Jersey Devils will face off against their old captain on Sunday for the first time since he bolted for Minnesota. Things have not gone well since Parise took the Devils to the Stanley Cup Finals, and this year is no different. New Jersey is just 3-6-4 and battling at the bottom of the Eastern Conference barrel with the likes of Florida, Buffalo and Philadelphia. This sets up nicely for a fired-up Parise to play well against his old franchise.

2. We ask this a lot, but will the Senators keep Dallas under 45 shots?

That seems like a simple task, but the Senators have struggled to keep opponents from unleashing hellfire on poor Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner this season. They've lost four straight and gave up 57 shots to the Islanders on Friday. The Stars are young and speedy, so this might be another long night for Anderson.

3. Can the Stars keep their late-game momentum going?

For the first time all season, the Dallas Stars scored twice in the third period on Friday. This is important, because the Stars have the least amount of third-period goals (five) in the NHL. Another strong end of regulation would be a good step in the right direction for Dallas.

4. Will Chicago keep pace with Colorado?

While the Avalanche keep impressing the entire league, the defending champs are nipping at their heels in the Central Division. A win in Calgary would keep the Blackhawks within a point of Colorado for the division lead.

5. How will Reto Berra fare in his debut?

Congrats, rookie! You get to face the defending champions in your NHL debut. The Flames will go with Berra in net on Sunday after placing Joey MacDonald on waivers this weekend. It's a bit of a head-scratcher, since MacDonald has been solid for the Flames this season. In any case, this will be quite the test for the youngster.