WASHINGTON — The growing expectation, as we reported last Friday, is that Zach Parise is leaning in the direction of an NHL return, with the likelihood it will be with the Islanders.

So then, two questions:

Where does Parise fit in a lineup for an Islanders team that sits at 15-8-9 after Wednesday night’s overtime loss in Washington?

And what must the Islanders do to accommodate Parise under the salary cap?