Moments like these almost feel too brilliant. If you drew it up, people would roll their eyes at you for being a dreamer.
This past draft’s top overall pick Auston Matthews went on a breakaway, but was stymied by Michael Hutchinson. Dustin Byfuglien made an outlet pass to Patrik Laine, and the second overall pick of 2016 made no mistake about burying the game-winner.
With that, Laine generated his first career hat trick, helping the Winnipeg Jets erase a 4-0 deficit in defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs by a score of 5-4 in OT.
Per @EliasSports: The @NHLJets came back from a four-goal deficit to win for the first time in Jets/Thrashers franchise history.
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 20, 2016
Yeah, that’s the sort of thing you’d write in a Hollywood script.
For a night, Jets fans can feel good about chanting “Laine’s better.”
During their debut nights, Laine helped the Jets begin a trend of comeback victories, yet Matthews stole the evening with a record-breaking, four-goal debut.
Whether you view it as 1-1 or 1-0 in Laine’s favor, the bottom line is that the sensational second pick won this round.
Honestly, it’s kind of a shame that these two aren’t in the same conference, because this is glorious stuff.
Do note that some might view this unlikely script as a familiar one nonetheless, as Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel enjoyed a similarly thrilling exchange in their first regular season game against each other.
So, let’s make this a tradition then, shall we?
