Zach Parise has been among the NHL's most prolific scorers since entering the league in 2005. The Wild assistant captain has been especially efficient at scoring the puck vs. Minnesota's opening-night opponent, the St. Louis Blues.
Parise has 10 goals in 20 career games vs. St. Louis, a goals per game average against the Blues that ranks third among active skaters. Wild forward Chris Stewart also has been among the most prolific scorers vs. St. Louis, scoring nine goals in 16 career games.
Most career goals per game vs. Blues, active skaters (Minimum 15 games)
| Bobby Ryan | Ott | 0.71 |
| Chris Stewart | Min | 0.56 |
| Zach Parise | Min | 0.5 |
| Marian Gaborik | LA | 0.47 |
| Paul Stastny | Stl | 0.46 |
Parise has scored a goal against all 30 NHL teams, from one career goal in five games vs. the Wild to 19 in 44 games vs. the Philadelphia Flyers. The 32-year-old former All-Star has notched six 30-goal seasons in his 11 year career, though just one in four seasons with the Wild.
He's been a most prolific scorer vs. the Calgary Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings, averaging more than .6 goals per game against them. He's struggled the most against the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring just three goals in 24 games.
Zach Parise most career goals per game, single opponent
| Opponent | Goals | Games | Goals/Game |
| Calgary Flames | 13 | 17 | 0.76 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 9 | 14 | 0.64 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 9 | 14 | 0.64 |
| Arizona Coyotes | 9 | 15 | 0.6 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 16 | 29 | 0.55 |
| Nashville Predators | 11 | 20 | 0.55 |
| Colorado Avalanche | 13 | 26 | 0.5 |
| Dallas Stars | 11 | 22 | 0.5 |
| St. Louis Blues | 10 | 20 | 0.5 |
| Vancouver Canucks | 8 | 17 | 0.47 |
Parise and the Wild will be looking to continue their string of success in season openers. Minnesota has not lost in regulation in a season opener, going 4-0-1 over that stretch. Parise scored three goals in last year's season opener, a 5-4 win over the Colorado Avalanche, including the game winner in the third period.
He and the Wild will be looking to win their first game under new coach Bruce Boudreau. The new Minnesota boss has been among the NHL's most successful coaches to begin his career, accruing a .659 winning percentage through nine seasons as a coach with the Washington Capitals and the Anaheim Ducks. The 61-year-old has never had a losing season as a coach and has made the playoffs six times.
Best coaching record thru 681 games, all-time
| Scotty Bowman | 394-165-122 | 0.668 |
| Bruce Boudreau | 409-192-80 | 0.659 |
| Mike Babcock | 389-196-19-77 | 0.642 |
| Toe Blake | 375-182-124 | 0.642 |
| Glen Sather | 392-201-8 | 0.640 |
