Seeing Laine’s name atop the league leaders in goals through one week of the season, tied with fellow draftee Auston Matthews didn’t really surprise too many. They’re two really, really good players. Sure Laine is still in his teens, but he’s got a better shot than almost all of his peers. Now here we are four weeks into the season, and Laine is still tied for the league lead in goals.
Sure, later in the year Alex Ovechkin, Laine’s hero growing up will continue, or grow on the scoring pace he’s on right now. And thinking Laine could beat Ovechkin’s 50 or 60 goals that are already in the bank is more than a bold ask. For the same cent, I wouldn’t bet too much money against him.
The Winnipeg Jets have relied on Laine through their first 12 games more and more as each one passed. He’s played with incredibly skilled players like Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, and Nikolaj Ehlers, who are three of the easiest players to play with in the league. Laine creates a bit of a distraction to the opposition when he’s on the ice. Scheifele has a lethal shot that often gets underrated. Team defence often takes Laine out of the play, but leaves Scheifele in a high chance scoring area. Before teams get used to this, expect Scheifele to rack up the goals, beside Laine.
Every time the puck gets to his stick, there’s a fear it could be going to the back of the net. No other Winnipeg Jet really creates that much havoc for opposing teams. Once Laine learns the little tips and tricks of an NHL power play, there’s not doubt he will be back on the point right where Ovechkin stands. Whenever he’s been on the Powerplay to date, he’s always created chances, and not only put pucks on net, but put quality scoring chances on net.
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If we look at the mathematics of Laine bettering Ovechkin in scoring, we should first look at the pace the players are on. Laine has seven goals in 12 games, good for 48 over a full 82 game schedule. Ovechkin has six goals in 10 games played this season, and under the same criteria would finish with 49 goals. Not a huge gap. Ovechkin in on a team filled with lots of superstars that can spell him off. His Capitals will also be in some meaningless games near the end of the season. Needless to say the Jets won’t be a lock for the playoffs with a month left in the season. Laine is the superstar, and goal scorer in Winnipeg.
Ovechkin said it himself. This kid will score 50 or 60 goals. Wouldn’t it be a pleasant surprise for that to happen in his first pro season.