Winnipeg Jets Powerplay Could Become Coveted by League
Patrik Laine isn’t on the ice for the first minute and a half of a powerplay. Finally with time dwindling he pounces over the boards and into his usual spot on the top of the left circle. A quick pass from Tobias Enstrom resulted in a laser straight off his stick, and off of Cam Talbot’s sprawled out pad.
This is a sight we’ve seen so often on the Winnipeg powerplay. Laine scored two beautiful one-timer goals in the Jets game against the Oilers, so why is he not on the number one powerplay unit?
The Jets first powerplay unit consists of Blake Wheeler, and Mark Scheifele, the Winnipeg Jets two best forwards. Bryan Little also plays the half-wall, and down-low. His experience, and patience landed him a spot. Dustin Byfuglien is the lone defenseman on the unit, playing the point, and directing pucks at the net, and at sticks in front. Adam Lowry is the final peice, who stands in front of the net creating havoc. This unit has created countless chances around the slot, but hasn’t finished as often as expected.
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If there were a spot for Laine on that unit, of course he would have to go for Lowry, right? Wrong. Laine wouldn’t stand in front of the net on the powerplay, so Lowry’s spot is safe, as he’s the perfect player for the job. Bryan Little may be the one who could be taken off the top unit if Laine continues to score, he may force himself onto the top unit, but the second unit may suit him better anyways.
The best penalty killers are on the ice at the start of the powerplay, and near the end some young players who aren’t as good at their trade come in. Laine has great chemistry with Ehlers, and Enstrom on the second unit, and he will get less attention from second or third killing units.
After scoring two goals against the Oilers, penalty killers started to drift over towards Laine to cover him like penalty killers do to Alex Ovechkin. He can just give a quick one-touch pass across the blueline to Tobias Enstrom, and he’s got a clear 4-on-2.
Considering the Winnipeg Jets have the player with the most powerplay goals in the entire league this season on their second unit, it proves how much talent this club has, and how good this powerplay will be in a couple years when they start scoring.