Ovechkin now just another opponent for Jets’ Laine
BOYHOOD IDOL: While growing up, Winnipeg rookie tried to pattern his game after Capitals captain
When it comes to discussing his childhood idol, Patrik Laine has gone from starry eyed to stone faced.
Not to confuse the issue, the Winnipeg Jets sniper still has plenty of admiration for Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin and how he plays the game.
But when it comes to questions about preparing for his first NHL meeting with Ovechkin Tuesday at MTS Centre, Laine met those with a collective shrug of the shoulders.
“I’ve played against him now, a couple of times,” said Laine, who has six goals and eight points in nine NHL games this season. “I don’t really care. It doesn’t matter to me. He’s a good player and it’s nice to play against good players. I’m just trying to be better.”
To be fair, Laine and the Jets had just fallen 3-1 to the Buffalo Sabres and the game Tuesday probably wasn’t at the forefront of his thoughts. And to make a successful transition to the NHL, a rookie like Laine can’t afford to waste any time being in awe of a guy he tried to pattern his game around as a youngster.
This is the third lifetime meeting between Laine and Ovechkin.
The first came at the 2016 World Men’s Hockey Championship where Finland defeated Russia and Laine set up the game-winning goal.
The two also met in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto in September, with Russia earning a victory in that game.
Laine was on the receiving end of a check by Ovechkin during that first meeting and said he wasn’t going to wash his jersey.
“It was exciting to play against your childhood idol,” Laine replied when asked to recall what stood out about the experience. “It was just amazing to play against him, but now it’s just normal.”
Indeed, this is the new normal for Laine, who is adapting well to the North American game and averaging close to 20 minutes of ice time.
Why was Laine drawn to watching Ovechkin?
“He was a good goal scorer. I just started watching players who can score. He was just so good and one of the best. Now, I’m just trying to be me and play my game. But I’ve watched him a lot over the years.”
The comparisons are natural, beginning first with the outstanding shots each player possesses. Whether it’s a quick release wrister or the booming one-timer, it’s obvious Laine spent some time studying the areas where Ovechkin has gone to compile an impressive 529 career goals to go along with 41 more during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Because Ovechkin is 31 and weighs 239 pounds, his ability to deliver a bone-crushing bodycheck is more advanced than Laine, who has impressed with his ability to get in on the forecheck and take the body.
Vision is something both players possess as well, even if it’s the shot that gets a bit more attention.
Ovechkin has been keeping an eye on Laine’s start to the season and has come away impressed.
“He’s a great young kid who came into the league and has lots of talent. It’s nice to see those guys play hard and play very well at this level. I’m happy for him,” Ovechkin told reporters who cover the Capitals last week. “He’s a great scorer obviously. He can score 50 or 60 goals if he’s going to continue to play like that.”
He also appreciates being a guy Laine looked up to.
“I’m not that old, but it’s nice to hear that from different players, that I was his idol or something like that. When I was a little kid, I watched different players as well, and I tried (to) look like them. It’s nice.”
As nice as it may be, Ovechkin feels like he’s got plenty of good hockey left to play. He’s not ready to pass the torch just yet and remains one of the NHL’s most dangerous goal scorers.
“I’m just trying to hang in there, obviously. You know, it’s fun to watch those kids, how they play, (Connor) McDavid, Laine and all those new faces. Hockey, it never stops growing up, and more players come into the league and they play well.”
If this game is anything like the first meeting between Laine and 2016 first overall pick Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs, folks figure to go home happy.