Alex Ovechkin and Patrik Laine bring firepower to D.C. Monday night. Ken Wiebe breaks down the match:
Patrik Laine, pictured, has never been one to shy away from the spotlight.
That’s not to say the Winnipeg Jets sniper is out there seeking the attention. He just knows it comes with the territory, so he embraces it.
The second-year NHLer understands his place in the game and realizes that when you’re on the type of roll he’s been on, plenty of people want to talk to him.
During the Jets’ current six-game road trip, Laine has been in high demand and he’s also given reporters plenty to write about.
So as the Jets (41-18-9) visit the Washington Capitals (38-23-7) on Monday, it makes for an interesting storyline that his 11-game point streak has coincided with him moving into a tie for the NHL goal-scoring lead with his one-time idol, Alex Ovechkin.
Laine and Ovechkin sit at 40 goals and each player has 14 games left in the regular season.
Here are five things to watch for in Monday’s battle in Washington:
1 Where’s the secondary scoring?
While Laine has been on a tear, producing 15 goals and 21 points over his 11-game point streak, outside of linemates Paul Stastny and Nikolaj Ehlers — with one apiece — Joel Armia is the only other Jets forward with a goal through four games on this trip.
2 No Little assignment
Jets centre Bryan Little was likely a bit sore after a slash from Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Brandon Manning late in Saturday’s 2-1 loss. But he’ll be ready to go head to head with Capitals centre Evgeny Kuznetsov.
3 Get to Grubauer
With Capitals starter Braden Holtby in a bit of a rough patch, backup Philipp Grubauer has stepped up. Grubauer posted a 24-save shutout in a 2-0 win over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday and has a 2.25 goalsagainst average and .925 save percentage.
4 Wheeler chipping in
Jets captain Blake Wheeler hasn’t scored in seven games, but he’s been productive, chipping in four goals, 17 assists and 21 points in the last 18 games.
5 Kuznetsov cruising
Although he’s gone three games without a point, Kuznetsov has three multi-point games in his past seven, chipping in five goals and nine points during that span. He’s already tied his careerhigh in goals with 20.