Ramblings: Laine, Laine, Laine (Oct 20)

Discussing Laine's goal-scoring prowess, Vanek's rejuvenation, fading Larkin, and more.

There are a lot of exciting young teams in the league this season but for my money, there’s no more fun team to watch than the Winnipeg Jets. They are LOADED with young talent, and like a few teams (Toronto, Arizona, Edmonton) they are actually playing the kids. It’s wonderful and leads to some insane hockey. The Jets have given up four goals in every single game this season and have twice overcome three-goal third period deficits to win in overtime. They have one of the best crowds in the league, who chanted “Laine’s Better” periodically throughout the game. Just an incredible viewing experience.

How about Patrik Laine, by the way, scoring a hat-trick including the tying goal late and then the overtime winner.

Laine's hat trick goal is OT winner for #NHLJets @SUBWAYCanada #SubwayCanada https://t.co/hwIZmJqXY4

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 20, 2016

You could not script it better than Auston Matthews getting denied on one end leading to Laine’s goal on the other end. Amazing. Laine is going to score a lot of goals in this league. We need to make room for his desk in Ovechkin/Stamkos’ shared office:

Patrik Laine scores his second goal of the game and we're off to OT. Follow along with our NHL Live Tracker: https://t.co/38KiIt3zKI pic.twitter.com/5clch4O9uG

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 20, 2016

Laine told me at Combine that he worked on shot every day in his backyard in FIN; his favorite player was Ovi; worked to have a similar shot https://t.co/TIDbrCWrZI

— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) October 20, 2016

Before we fall all over ourselves for Laine, just remember Steven Stamkos is a goal-scoring genius:

Steven Stamkos is playing a different game. #FLAvsTBL https://t.co/LvRiuEV1PS

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 19, 2016

That shot is some physics bending shit. Stamkos is a scientist.

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Lost in the Laine madness is that Mark Scheifele