‘Laine’s better’ in first meeting of top two 2016 draft picks

Game, set, match to Patrik Laine as he completed the hat trick to stun Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.

On Wednesday we got our first taste of the Auston Matthews–Patrik Laine showdown, something we’ll surely be watching closely for the foreseeable future.

This game didn’t let us down. Well, unless you’re a Leafs fan.

Much was made of this “rivalry” between the top two picks of the 2016 draft heading into their first head-to-head matchup. Laine had said many times that he didn’t need that kind of heat between himself and Matthews, but around the draft he was adamant (naturally) that he was good enough to be taken over Matthews and first overall.

Toronto’s pick, of course, started his NHL career better than anyone had before, with a four-goal effort in a loss to Ottawa. Laine scored his first goal in his first game as well, but with two points in his first three games, his start wasn’t as earth-shaking. The No. 1 overall pick had an early inside track on any Calder Trophy debate.

Not anymore.

It looked like this one was going to be a stinker after the Leafs took a 4-0 lead, though not because Matthews was having a highlight-reel game. By the end of it, Laine had completely stolen the show. For this night, at least, Jets fans said it best. Laine was better.

The Finnish sniper scored the second goal, tying goal and winning goal for his first career hat trick. The way the game ended though was so perfect in the context of this being a “rivalry”, with Matthews being stopped on a breakaway at one end, and Laine coming back the other way to score the OT winner. The big comeback was a first for the Thrashers/Jets franchise.

How about Matthews? In 17:57 of ice time, he recorded an assist and seven shots on goal, so he wasn’t absent. As we noted, he had the game on his stick moments before Laine ended it at the other end of the ice.

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If this is a sign of things to come for these two, bring it on. The next time they play, Feb. 21 in Toronto, is must-see TV and you better believe Matthews will be looking to even this bout.

With one round in the books, Laine takes the early lead. If it wasn’t a rivalry before, you better believe it is now.

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