Patrik Laine absolutely dominated first rivalry game against Auston Matthews
This past June, Patrik Laine believed that he should have been the first overall pick in the NHL Draft. Instead, the Toronto Maple Leafs took Auston Matthews.
On Wednesday, Laine -- who went No. 2 to the Winnipeg Jets -- got his first chance to stick it to the team that passed on him, and boy did he take advantage.
The 18-year-old Finnish star scored three goals in the inaugural "Matthews-Laine Bowl" in Winnipeg, including the game-winner in overtime. The third and final goal came on a sequence that couldn't have been crafted more perfectly for Laine and Jets fans -- Matthews was denied on a breakaway, then play went the other way and Laine used his great shot to snipe the winner top corner on home ice.
Matthews had an assist in the contest, but make no mistake -- this first heavyweight showdown was a unanimous decision in favor of Laine. Not only did he register his first career hat trick (tying Matthews' goal and point total in the process), but he also was the driving force in the Jets rallying back from a 4-0 deficit early in the game.
It's pointless to get into a "who's better" debate less than a handful of games into their careers, but Winnipeg has already weighed in with their thoughts.
First major milestone? Check. Crowd chanting your name? Check. Outdueling your rival and scoring the game-winner? Check. Yeah, it was a solid night for Laine.
Talk about setting the bar pretty high for the future of the rivalry.
