Winnipeg rookie Patrik Laine makes smooth transition to NHL

By STEVE CARP LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

8 years ago

Winnipeg Jets’ Patrik Laine (29) celebrates his second goal of the night as Dallas Stars’ Jordie Benn (24) skates behind during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, Winnipeg, Manitoba. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets’ Patrik Laine (29) skates during practice at Investors Group Field for the NHL Heritage Classic outdoor hockey game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016. The Jets taken on the Edmonton Oilers Sunday. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets’ Adam Lowry (17) and Patrik Laine (29) celebrate Laine’s goal against the Dallas Stars during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets’ Drew Stafford (12) and Patrik Laine (29) during the warmup skate at the NHL Heritage Classic in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets’ Mark Scheifele (55) and Patrik Laine (29) celebrate Laine’s goal on Dallas Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen as John Klingberg (3) skates by during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, Winnipeg, Manitoba. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets’ Patrik Laine (29) scores his second goal of the night against Dallas Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen (32) as Jordie Benn (24) and Radek Faksa (12) defend during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, Winnipeg, Manitoba. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets’ Patrik Laine (29) deflects a shot from the point to score on Dallas Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen (32) as John Klingberg (3) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, Winnipeg, Manitoba. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets right wing Patrik Laine (29), of Finland, drives down the ice and scores against Detroit Red Wings during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 4, 2016, in Detroit. (Duane Burleson/AP)

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The moment the puck touches Patrik Laine’s stick, anticipation heightens throughout the MTS Centre.

It’s like waiting for Beyonce to take the stage. You know something spectacular is going to happen. You’re just not sure exactly what or how.

And like the Queen Bee, Laine is getting in the habit of delivering. The 18-year-old from Finland, taken No. 2 overall in June’s NHL Entry Draft, is not only the core of the Winnipeg Jets’ future, but he’s also one of a cadre of terrific young players that will sustain the NHL through its next decade.

The skating. The lightning-quick release. The knack for finding the net. The toughness. It was all on display Tuesday when the Jets routed Dallas 8-2 and Laine had his second hat trick of the season and a four-point game.

“It’s an exciting time to be playing,” said Laine, who leads the NHL with 11 goals in 14 games. “There are a lot of great young players coming into the league, and it’s an honor to be part of that.

“But I have a lot to learn and work on. I’m focusing on that and trying to help our team win.”

Watching Laine with the puck creates a sense of excitement and anticipation the way it did 50 years ago when Bobby Orr was a rookie defenseman for the Boston Bruins and was slicing and dicing his way through entire teams. Obviously they are different players from different eras playing different positions, but they’re similar in the way they captivate the crowd with the puck.

“You can feel it in the crowd when he touches the puck,” Jets coach Paul Maurice said. “You can feel the anticipation of the shot, and we feel it on the bench. It’s like he can score from anywhere.”

Teaming with center Mark Scheifele, who led the NHL in scoring with 18 points after Tuesday’s games, the Jets have as potent a 1-2 punch as any other team. Maurice wisely is playing the two together with Nikolaj Ehlers. He has apparently hit on the right combination, especially playing Laine on the right side, even though he’s a left-handed shot.

“I think it’s helped him,” Maurice said of moving Laine to right wing. “It a little bit easier on his reads. He’s also finishing his checks, and he’s adjusting to the way the game is played at this level.”

Laine has been wowing everyone with his ability to shoot the puck on the move. His release is so quick that it’s an opposing goaltender’s nightmare. But as teams try to take Laine’s time and space away from him, he’s starting to get his opportunities closer to the net.

His goals Tuesday all were from close in. He had a tip-in for one, a second-time chance at the right post for another and one-timed a cross-ice pass from Scheifele inside the right face-off circle for the third.

“I need to do different things to score,” Laine said. “I felt I need to get closer to the net. I know teams are trying to stop me, so I’m doing what I can to score.”

Laine is the first player to record at least 11 goals in his first 14 games since 1992-93, when three players, including another famous Finn — Teemu Selanne – achieved the feat. Laine’s stick-twirl celebration after each goal is a tribute to Selanne, who did a version of his own when he played for the Jets.

“You just get Patty the puck, and he knows what to do,” Scheifele said. “Plus, he’s a great passer, too. He always knows where you are, and he puts it right on the tape.”

Contact Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow @stevecarprj on Twitter.