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Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/injuries-continue-to-keep-jets-in-sick- bay-476497963.html?k=QAPMqC

Injuries continue to plague Jets Seven wounded players missed Saturday's game

By: Mike McIntyre

WASHINGTON — Is there a doctor in the house?

It’s been a common refrain for the lately, as they just can’t seem to get close to a full, healthy lineup.

Seven players were out due to injury in Saturday’s 2-1 loss in Philadelphia. Here’s what we know about all of them, with further updates expected today as the Jets return to action with a morning skate and then their game in Washington against the Capitals.

Mark Scheifele has missed two games with a suspected shoulder injury, and there will be no rushing him back into action.

He’s considered day-to-day at this , and coach had said last week he was a possibility to play either tonight, or tomorrow in Nashville. But don’t bet on it.

Defenceman Toby Enstrom is battling a lower-body issue which kept him out for four games, saw him return in New Jersey last Thursday and then be back out on Saturday. Maurice said it’s a nagging thing that can change day-to-day, so his status is very much a question mark.

Defenceman Dmitry Kulikov missed Saturday’s game after getting hurt Thursday in New Jersey. Maurice hasn’t said how long he could be out, only that it’s upper-body.

Goalie Steve Mason has been sent back to Winnipeg for further testing on a lower-body injury he suffered late in the game against the last Tuesday, which was his first game back from his second concussion of the season.

His return date is a mystery.

Defenceman could be back in the lineup as early as Thursday when the Jets host Chicago.

He’s been out since late January with an ankle injury but has had a few full-contact practices as he nears a return.

Centre , out with an upper-body injury once again, is also skating but in a non- contact jersey. Maurice was originally hopeful he could be back by early March, but that obviously hasn’t happened.

The most recent update is that he could be shortly after Trouba.

And finally, Shawn Matthias is very close to returning from an upper-body injury.

However, whether he draws into the lineup remains to be seen.

He’s very much just a depth option at this point.

With a few other players also banged up and battling a bug going through the dressing room, it’s not a surprise that Sunday’s scheduled practice in Washington was cancelled by Maurice.

East Coast travel more relaxing It’s a rare luxury for Western Conference teams, but the Winnipeg Jets have certainly been reminded over the past 10 days how East Coast travel in the NHL is much less taxing.

Take this current six-game road trip. After starting it off in Raleigh, the Jets took a short flight to New York, where they essentially set up shop for four days.

They bused from their hotel to games in New York and New Jersey, then took another bus for the 100-minute ride to Philadelphia.

A quick flight following Saturday’s matinee against the Flyers had them in Washington by mid- evening.

So they should be well rested by tonight’s game against the Capitals.

Things get a bit busier as they have to fly to Nashville following tonight’s game to get ready to face the Predators tomorrow in a back-to-back — but even then they gain an hour by going into the central time zone.

Back-to-back games to be split Expect and Michael Hutchinson to split these back-to-back games. Maurice said as much over the weekend, without revealing who would get which game.

Common sense might suggest the Jets would save Hellebuyck for division rival Nashville, thus clearing the way for Hutchinson to go tonight against Washington.

After all, the Jets still have hopes of catching the Predators for first place in the Central Division.

Maurice will provide an update following the morning skate.

Bell MTS third-best ice surface Take a bow, Winnipeg fans.

When it comes to making good ice and plenty of noise, you’ve got the attention of the rest of the NHL.

Results were just released of a major survey in which more than 500 current players voted on a variety of subjects over the last few months.

The 2017-18 Player Poll, co-ordinated by the NHLPA, involved more than 20-hockey related questions. Winnipeg makes a pair of appearances.

Bell MTS Place finished third in voting for best NHL ice surface, behind ’s Bell and Rogers Place in .

As well, Winnipeg fans were voted fifth-best in the league, behind Chicago, Nashville, Montreal and .

Other interesting categories include who’s the best referee (Wes McCauley in a landslide), which current player would make the best coach ( in a close vote) and which current assistant coach would make the best bench boss (Toronto’s D.J. Smith).There were also votes taken on best skaters and goalies of all time.

Among the more intriguing results, 77.7 per cent of voters said they’re happy with the current NHL points system which sees some games worth two points, and others that get to or a shootout worth three. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/laine-playing-on-another-level-but-rest- of-team-having-trouble-putting-it-into-the-net-476494853.html

Problems for Jets with only Laine bulging twine Finnish sniper will need backup from teammates tonight against Caps and iconic Ovie

By: Mike McIntyre

WASHINGTON — It’s a marquee matchup made in hockey heaven: versus . Forty- scorer versus 40-goal scorer. Sophomore sniper versus the greatest shooter of his era. Finnish teen versus his childhood idol.

Yes, the eyes of the hockey world will no doubt be on the U.S. capital tonight as Winnipeg and Washington face-off in a game just dripping with juicy storylines.

Well, let us add one more to the mix: Is anybody on the Jets other than their teenage star going to start filling the net anytime soon? If you haven’t noticed, Winnipeg’s secondary scoring has all but disappeared.

Consider this: Winnipeg has scored 10 times in the first four games of this road trip, in which they’ve managed to go 3-1-0 largely due to the fact Laine is playing on another level right now plus they’ve only given up six goals in that span. Laine has scored seven of the goals, plus assisted on another. That means he’s been directly involved in 80 per cent of their offence.

Laine also scored two of Winnipeg’s four goals in their last home game, a 4-3 win over Detroit. That means he’s lit the lamp nine times in the past five games, while the rest of the lineup combined have just five goals in that stretch.

Rookie hasn’t scored in 14 games, although he has managed to chip in with seven assists. hasn’t scored in nine games, and doesn’t even have an helper in that stretch. Veteran centre has also been blanked in his past nine, with just two assists.

Captain hasn’t scored in seven games despite having five assists. Kyle Connor is also in a seven-game goal scoring drought, with just one assist.

All of the above players are in Winnipeg’s top nine, logging big minutes. And yet they certainly haven’t been producing like it.

Throw in last week’s injury to No. 1 centre , plus the continued, prolonged absence of Adam Lowry, and you have the makings of a problem.

Laine, along with linemates and , have essentially been carrying the team offensively. And while that’s great for what might be the hottest in the NHL right now, it makes them a potential one-trick pony for other teams to key on.

Winnipeg has been mostly excellent in one-goal games this year, showing an ability to hold leads in tight games. But as we saw Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia, Laine can’t do it all. They lost 2-1 in a game where a contribution or two from anyone else might have put them over the top.

Coach Paul Maurice brought out the line blender midway through that game, shaking up the looks of every line except the Stastny-Laine-Ehlers trio.

"No," was his curt response when asked if he thought the changes worked.

So it must be asked: Has the rest of the team come to expect Laine to simply produce enough most games to put them over the top, to the detriment of their own production?

"I understand the question. But the NHL doesn’t work like that. Nobody has ever said I feel better now because I don’t have to score now because Patty will," Maurice told the Free Press following Saturday’s loss.

"We’ve got some different combinations, we’ve got a different kind of hockey being played now at this time of year. So a little harder to score, a little harder to get to those areas," he said. "We’ve got some other guys with 20-plus goals, a bunch of guys with 15 who haven’t scored a lot (lately)."

Despite all that, Maurice was quick to praise Laine for what he’s accomplished at such a young age. His next goal will put him third in NHL history for most goals scored by a teenager.

"Hitting the 40 mark but skating now. He looks so much different than he did a month ago. He’s a special young man, 19-years-old and still growing into his body. A really competitive guy, wants to score. He’s going to be a good Winnipeg Jet for a long time," said Maurice.

Perhaps rest and recovery might help spark something for the rest of the team.

The Jets cancelled their planned practice Sunday in Washington, opting to give everyone a day off the ice. There’s no question several players are banged up right now as the rigours of the regular-season take their toll. Not to mention a big of a bug that’s been making its way through the dressing room, mostly recently knocking Perreault for a loop and rendering him less than 100 per cent.

With 14 regular-season games left and then what they hope will be a long playoff run, the Jets are going to need all hands back on deck as soon as possible.

Winnipeg Sun http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/the-final-countdown-laine-and-ovechkin- neck-and-neck-in-rocket-richard-race

The final countdown: Laine and Ovechkin neck-and-neck in Rocket Richard race

By Ken Wiebe

WASHINGTON – Patrik Laine 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, far from it.

He simply knows it comes with the territory, so he embraces it.

Laine remains both modest and accommodating, despite reaching stardom at such a young age.

But 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 this six-game road trip, Laine has been in high demand – he’s also given members of the media plenty to write (and talk) about.

So as the Jets (41-18-9) get set to face the (38-23-7) on Monday at Capital One Arena, 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, including Monday’s second and final meeting between the two clubs.

On the weekend, when one of his numerous scrums had thinned out, Laine was asked about the importance of chasing the Rocket Richard Trophy.

“It’s always been one of my dreams to win it,” said Laine. “It’s something that every goal-scorer dreams about. There are still 15 games to go. There are a lot of things that can happen, but (along) with our team goals, it’s a good motivation for me.”

Since being chosen second overall by the Jets in the 2016 NHL Draft, Laine has stressed the importance of his team before personal success.

That doesn’t mean he doesn’t hold himself to a high standard or thinks about personal goals.

He’s a driven individual, one who almost expects to score on every scoring chance he gets.

That’s part of what’s pushed him to become an elite goal scorer at 19 years old.

After being held off the scoresheet against the Capitals on Feb. 13, Laine was sitting at 25 goals and there seemed to be an outside chance he would finish the season in the 35-to-40 range.

Thanks to an 11-game point streak that included 15 goals and 21 points, Laine eclipsed last season’s total of 36 and now legitimately has 50 in his sights.

“Yeah, you never know what’s going to happen,” said Laine, who is quick to give credit to linemates Nikolaj Ehlers and Paul Stastny for his recent outburst. “(Eleven) games ago, I was at 25 and nobody was talking about even 40. If we’re playing like this with (Ehlers) and (Stastny), why not? Team first and team goals first.”

Has Laine been keeping track of what Ovechkin has been doing during his personal hot streak?

“No, not really. I just sometimes look at the scoreboard and the score sheets. I always pretty much know where’s everyone at,” said Laine. “I’m watching a lot of games and a lot of scores, but I don’t need to keep track of that.”

Laine’s teammates have been blown away by this recent stretch, which has included Laine moving into a tie with and Brian Bellows for most NHL goals by a teenager (76).

Only Dale Hawerchuk (85) and Jimmy Carson (92) have scored more.

“It’s incredible. You’re seeing something pretty special,” said Jets defenceman Ben Chiarot. “He’s got a gift for scoring goals. I’ve never played with anybody that dangerous, that lethal. It is Ovechkin-like, when (Laine) gets in the O-zone, you’re on high alert because he can shoot from anywhere and score. (Laine) puts it exactly where he wants it – and it’s from distance too. He can score from anywhere.

“It’s the most dangerous in the league, easily.”

It’s been an interesting season for Laine, who got off to a slow start by his own lofty standards.

He wasn’t skating as well as he did last season and earlier this trip, admitted it took him some time to adjust to the added six or seven pounds of muscle he put on during the summer months.

Laine found a way to remain productive, but was doing a lot of his damage on the power play – which is no surprise given his ability to shoot the puck.

Something changed for Laine during the second half and it was easy to pinpoint.

While many players begin to feel the strain of a long season going into the final quarter, Laine has found another gear.

“He looks so much different than he did a month ago. He’s figured it out that the legs are driving a lot of what he’s doing. Playing a little faster sets his timing up – because his timing (right now) is bang on,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice. “He’s a special young man, 19 years old and still growing into his body. He’s a really competitive guy, he wants to score.

“If you’re getting close to 50, you’re feeling good about your game. For any of these guys, confidence is a critical piece. Right now, that puck is off (Laine’s) stick where he wants it every time. So, he’s feeling it, he’s feeling good.”

The way Laine has been scoring lately, why wouldn’t he be? http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/poolman-draws-in-jets-defenceman-on- emergency-recall-as-enstrom-sits

Ovechkin vs. Laine vs. Malkin: The race to 50 NHL goals is on

By

WASHINGTON — Patrik Laine knows where he stands.

The Winnipeg Jets might not keep track of each time Alex Ovechkin or scores, but he knows how many goals they have.

“I just sometimes look at the scoreboard and the score sheets,” Laine said. “I always pretty much know where’s everyone at.”

Laine is tied with Ovechkin at 40 goals atop the NHL and is looking to reach 50 for the first time in his career at age 19 and win his first Rocket Richard Trophy. Ovechkin, at 32 years old, is 10 away from his eighth 50-goal season and could win his seventh goal-scoring title.

The race comes down to Ovechkin and Malkin — the Nos. 1 and 2 picks from 2004 — and Laine, the second selection in 2016 who has shown he deserves to be in the conversation for the best goal-scorer in hockey today.

“He’s got a gift for scoring goals,” Jets defenceman Ben Chiarot said. “Guys look for him now. It’s even more profound that you look for him in the offensive zone because if he gets the puck — it’s crazy to say — it’s like a 60, 70 per cent chance he’s going to put it in the back of the net. I’ve never played with anyone like that — that dangerous, that lethal.”

Winnipeg teammates aren’t shy to say Laine’s abilities are “Ovechkin-like” because Laine is scoring as a teenager the way only the Washington Capitals superstar, , and have over the past two decades. Ovechkin is no doubt the greatest goal-scorer of this generation, now two away from being the 20th player in NHL history to reach 600, though coach thinks 50 is a more important milestone for his Russian winger given his recent trajectory.

“The 600 will be something he’ll have forever, but I think he’ll put a lot of pride if he can get 50 this year,” Trotz said. “I think the way he looks at it, it’s so hard to do and he had a down year (last season). He wants to show that he can still do it.”

Even if one big number is more meaningful than the other, Ovechkin knows that to get to 50 this season he has to cross the 600-goal threshold. After notching the 598th of his career and 40th of the season, Ovechkin said: “Forty is nice, but 50 is better. Still have time to do that.”

Laine has time to do that because he has gone on an absurd tear: 15 goals in his past 11 games going into his showdown with Ovechkin on Monday night in Washington. The most prolific young Finn since Teemu Selanne said winning the Rocket Richard Award has always been a dream, and now 50 is even in reach.

“You never know what’s going to happen,” Laine said. “Ten games ago, I was at 25 and nobody was talking about even 40. There’s a lot of things that could happen. If we’re playing like this with (linemates Nikolai Ehlers and Paul Stastny), why not?”

With 14 games to go, there’s no reason to bet against Laine or Ovechkin scoring 50.

Ovechkin already has seven more than he put up all last season to get to 40 for the ninth time. Only Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky, and have scored 40 in a season more times than Ovechkin.

“I don’t think people understand how hard that is to do,” centre Nazem Kadri said. “He makes it seem so effortless. He’s got a very special shot.”

Jets centre Andrew Copp wondered if Laine’s shot is even more special than Ovechkin’s. Copp hasn’t seen Laine score from the centre red line yet but joked, “I’m sure that day will come.”

The day has already come when Laine’s release looks more effortless than Ovechkin’s.

“Ovi’s got a big, winding up wrister and it comes off just kind of so crazy whereas Patty, it’s almost like he’s throwing darts at the net,” Chiarot said. “It’s just a little flick of the wrist and it’s kind of where he wants it. … I think it’s the most dangerous shot in the league.”

Malkin right now might be the most dangerous player in the league. The three-time -winning centre is right there with Ovechkin, winger , Stamkos and teammate and forward Nathan MacKinnon in a crowded MVP race.

Playing on the same team as Sidney Crosby could leave Malkin as underappreciate at times, but he’s playing some of the best hockey of his career right now.

“I have confidence right now,” Malkin said recently. “It’s like every shot goes in. It’s funny sometimes. I’m trying to do my best.”

Jets coach Paul Maurice senses the confidence oozing from Laine just from watching him at practice. He can see an entirely different player from a month ago and someone who’s scoring like a player who looks capable of hitting — and surpassing — 50.

“If you’re getting close to 50, you’re feeling good about your game,” Maurice said. “Any of these guys, confidence is a critical piece. That puck is off Patty’s stick where he wants it right now every time. So he’s feeling it, he’s feeling good.” http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/five-keys-to-jets-vs-capitals-2

Five keys to Jets vs. Capitals

By Ken Wiebe

Winnipeg Jets at Washington Capitals

6 pm CT, Capital One Arena. TV: TSN3. Radio: TSN 1290

THE BIG MATCHUP

Patrik Laine vs. Alex Ovechkin The Jets sniper has been under the microscope a lot lately (and for good reason) and after moving into a tie with Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin for the NHL goal-scoring lead, plenty of eyes on who is in the lead for the Rocket Richard Trophy following this game.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Where’s the secondary scoring? While Laine has been on a tear, producing 15 goals and 21 points during an 11-game point streak, outside of linemates Paul Stastny and Nikolaj Ehlers (with one a piece), Joel Armia is the only other Jets forward to record a goal through four games on this road trip.

No Little assignment Jets centre Bryan Little was probably feeling a bit sore after being on the receiving end of a slash from Flyers defenceman Brandon Manning in front of the net in the latter stages of Saturday’s 2-1 loss. But he’ll be ready to go head-to-head with Capitals centre on Monday. Little has 12 goals, 21 points in 41 games against the Capitals during his career.

Get to Grubauer With Capitals starter going through a bit of a rough patch, backup Philipp Grubauer has stepped up his game. Grubauer posted a 24-save in a 2-0 win over the on Saturday and is 9-8-3 this season, but has a 2.25 goals-against average and .925 save % in 27 appearances (20 starts).

Still dishing Jets Blake Wheeler hasn’t scored in seven games, but he’s continued to be consistently productive, chipping in four goals, 17 assists and 21 points during the past 18 games. Wheeler entered Sunday’s action tied for the NHL lead in assists with Flyers forward Jakub Voracek.

Kuznetsov cruising Although he’s gone three games without a point, Kuznetsov has three multi-point games in his past seven (chipping in give goals and nine points during that span). He’s already tied his career-high in goals (20) and is riding shotgun with Ovechkin as well.

NHL.com https://www.nhl.com/news/winnipeg-jets-patrik-laine-washington-capitals-alex-ovechkin-chase- scoring-title/c-296845384

Laine, Ovechkin chasing goal-scoring crown for Jets, Capitals 19-year-old Winnipeg forward tied with boyhood idol entering game against him by Tom Gulitti @TomGulittiNHL / NHL.com Staff Writer

Patrik Laine seemed to be in denial.

The Winnipeg Jets forward scored his 40th goal of the season in a 2-1 loss to the on Saturday to pull into a tie with Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin for the NHL lead. But Laine didn't think he'd still be tied with his childhood idol by the time they face each other at Capital One Arena on Monday (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, NBCSWA, TSN3, NHL.TV).

"He's probably going to score a couple tonight," Laine said.

But Ovechkin did not score in the Capitals' 2-0 win against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. That was the Capitals captain's third game in a row without a goal, a mini-drought that has him stuck on 40 for the season.

Laine grew up looking up to Ovechkin. It might take the 19-year-old some time to get used to being on the same level as him.

"I would be honored to tie the League lead with him," Laine said.

It wasn't that long ago that Laine faced Ovechkin for the first time in the 2016 IIHF World Championship. Playing for host Russia, Ovechkin hit Laine with a body check, leaving the Finn smiling.

"I won't wash this jersey ever because he hit me," Laine said after the game.

Now, Laine is in a dead heat with Ovechkin in the race for the Rocket Richard Trophy with each having 14 games remaining. Ovechkin, 32, is seeking to lead the NHL in goals for the seventh time in his 13 NHL seasons, which would tie for the most in League history.

Laine, who has scored nine goals during his five-game goal streak and 15 in his past 11 games, is chasing his first NHL goal title.

"It's always been one of my dreams to win it," Laine said. "It's something that every goal-scorer dreams about. … There's a lot of things that can happen, but that's good motivation to me. With our team goals, it's good motivation for me."

The Jets (41-18-9) are second in the Central Division, seven points behind the and six ahead of the third-place . They have some work to do, but appear destined to qualify for the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2014-15 and the second time since the franchise relocated from Atlanta in 2011.

The Capitals (38-23-7) also have some work to do to clinch a playoff spot for the fourth consecutive season and home-ice advantage in at least the first round. They lead the Pittsburgh Penguins by one point for first in the Metropolitan Division and are two points ahead of the third- place Philadelphia.

But the race between Laine and Ovechkin -- with Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin (39 goals) and Minnesota's Eric Staal (37) on their heels -- will be a compelling subplot Monday and over the remainder of the regular season.

Laine is bidding to become the second teenager to lead the NHL in goals, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. was 19 with the in 2003-04 when he finished in a three-way tie with and Ilya Kovalchuk for the League\ lead with 41.

Ovechkin would be the oldest to lead the NHL in goals (based on his age on the final day of the season) since scored 61 at age 33 in 1974-75.

Laine said he doesn't keep tabs on Ovechkin's goal total on a nightly basis.

"I just sometimes look at the scoreboard and the score sheets," he said. "I always pretty much know where everyone's at. I'm watching a lot of games and a lot of scores, but I don't need to keep track of that."

Ovechkin, who has 598 goals in 989 NHL games, is two away from becoming the 20th player in NHL history to reach 600 and, according to Elias, the fourth to do it in fewer than 1,000 games, joining Wayne Gretzky (718), Mario Lemieux (719) and (900).

Laine, who has 76 goals in 141 NHL games, is tied with Brian Bellows and Gretzky for the third most by a teenager, trailing Jimmy Carson (92) and Dale Hawerchuk (85).

This is Ovechkin's ninth 40-goal season. Laine reached 40 for the first time on a power-play one-timer 8:58 into the third period Saturday.

That the Jets lost the game mattered more to Laine in the immediate aftermath.

"But maybe tomorrow I'll be happier," he said Saturday. "I've got to be proud of myself. That's just a great number, but now it doesn't feel good."

Laine and Ovechkin each would be in elite company if they can get to 50 goals this season.

Ovechkin would be the fifth NHL player to score 50 or more in a season after his 32nd birthday, and the first since Jaromir Jagr in 2005-06, who turned 34 during that season. It would be Ovechkin's eighth 50-goal season.

Only Gretzky and have more with nine each.

Laine would be the third teenager in League history to score 50 in a season, according to Elias, joining Gretzky (51; 1979-80) and Carson (55; 1987-88), who were each 19. He turns 20 on April 19.

Laine would have to stay hot and Ovechkin would have to go on one of his renowned scoring binges, but 50 is within reach.

"You never know what's going to happen," Laine said. "Ten games ago, I was at 25 and nobody was talking about even 40. There's a lot of things that can happen." https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-key-numbers-statistics-march-11/c- 296845380?tcid=tw_news_content_id

Facts and Figures: Laine on target for Jets Forward reaches 40 goals with uncanny precision shooting by John Kreiser @jkreiser7713 / NHL.com Managing Editor

Patrik Laine is giving a whole new dimension to the term sharpshooter.

Laine tied Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals for the NHL lead when he scored his 40th of the season in the Winnipeg Jets' 2-1 loss at the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. With 14 games remaining, the second-year forward has already surpassed the 36 goals he scored in his rookie season. Laine has scored nine times during a five-game goal-scoring streak and has 15 in his past 11 games.

What's most remarkable is the economy of shots that Laine has needed to fill the net. Beginning with the Jets' game against the Colorado Avalanche on Feb. 16, Laine has 30 shots on goal - and half of them have gone into the net.

For the season, Laine has scored his 40 goals on 196 shots (20.4 percent); for comparison, Ovechkin's 40 goals have come on 290 shots (13.8 percent).

The two will face each other when the Jets come to Capital One Arena on Monday (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, NBCSWA, TSN3, NHL.TV). If history is any indication, Ovechkin could have an advantage: he has four goals in seven games played on Mondays this season; Laine has one goal in five Monday games.

Laine is still 19; he turns 20 on April 19. The goal he scored Saturday was his 76th, tying him for third in NHL history by players before their 20th birthday with Wayne Gretzky and Brian Bellows. He would have to continue his hot streak to reach Dale Hawerchuk (85) for second place; Jimmy Carson's record of 92 still looks safe.

Forbes.com https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolschram/2018/03/11/patrik-laine-could-take-down-alex- ovechkin-for-the-nhl-goal-scoring-title/#709b3630ba0e

Patrik Laine Could Take Down Alex Ovechkin For The NHL Goal-Scoring Title

By Carol Schram , CONTRIBUTOR

The NHL’s greatest active goal scorer is about to stare down a young rival.

Alexander Ovechkin and Patrik Laine are currently tied at the top of the NHL’s race for the Rocket Richard Trophy with 40 goals each. The pair will go head-to-head as the Washington Capitals host the Winnipeg Jets on Monday night (7 p.m. ET) at Capital One Arena.

As of Sunday, Ovechkin leads the league in both goals (598) and points (1,107) since he arrived in the NHL at the beginning of the 2005-06 season. He has won six Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophies as the league’s leading goal scorer. No other player has won more than twice since the trophy was introduced in 1999.

Ovechkin has scored nearly 200 more goals than second-place Sidney Crosby (405) over the past 13 seasons and, at age 32, sits 20th on the all-time list.

For the last two weeks, as Ovechkin approached the 600-goal plateau, there has been talk about whether he will be able to break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894 goals.

Averaging 49.6 goals per 82 games through his career, Ovechkin would need to play about another six seasons — at that level of production, and without missing any games — to catch The Great One.

That’s a tall order. Gretkzy played until he was 38 but he hit the 600-goal mark in his 10th NHL season, shortly before his 28th birthday. His last 40-goal campaign came when he scored 41 goals in 1990-91, the year he turned 30.

After Ovechkin went pointless on the Washington Capitals’ just-completed three-game road trip through California, the narrative has shifted from all-time records to this year’s scoring race. Playing in just his second NHL season, Laine picked up his 40th of the year on Saturday as his Winnipeg Jets dropped a 2-1 decision to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Laine has caught Ovechkin by scoring 15 goals in his last 11 games.

Often lined up with speedy and talented Danish winger Nikolaj Ehlers, the pair have heated up even more since being matched with veteran center Paul Stastny, who was acquired from the St. Louis Blues at the trade deadline. Stastny has seven points in six games since joining the Jets, Ehlers has six points and Laine, who's on an 11-game point streak, has nine goals and three assists since teaming up with Stastny six games ago.

Thanks to this outburst, Laine has now scored more than any other player since he came into the league at the beginning of the 2016-17 season. Going into Monday’s showdown, he has 76 goals in the first 141 games of his NHL career. Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lighting is second with 74 goals in 141 games over the last two seasons and Ovechkin is third with 73 in 150 games.

Laine's tearing up the NHL even though he was still eligible to play in this winter's 2018 World Junior Championship. Ovechkin had just turned 20 when he played his first NHL game in October 2005. Laine doesn’t turn 20 for another six weeks.

NBC Sports http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2018/03/10/whos-going-to-win-the-maurice-richard-trophy/

Who’s going to win the Maurice Richard Trophy?

By Scott Billeck

It wasn’t long ago that Alex Ovechkin looked primed for his seventh Maurice Richard Trophy.

The Great 8 was consistently notching goals and keeping a distance between himself and his nearest competitors. What would be needed from prospective challengers to close the gap was a lengthy run in the goal department.

And that’s exactly what has happened.

The last couple of weeks have thrown a mighty wrench into Ovi’s plans of seeing his name engraved Rocket’s trophy again. This isn’t to say that Ovechkin won’t claim the title this season — he’s done it more times than anyone since it was introduced in 1999 — it’s just that the race has gotten pretty exciting as the NHL heads into its final swath of games.

Let’s break down the challengers and a couple pretenders who might get a promotion over the final few weeks of the season.

THE LEADER

Alex Ovechkin: The man the top snipers in the league have been chasing for the majority of the season. Entering Saturday’s action, Ovechkin sits on the throne when it comes to goal scoring. He’s the only man to have hit 40 this season and looks primed to add to that total over the past 15 games of the season. It’s certainly not out of the realm for Ovechkin to hit 50 this year, and he may need to do so to fend off some of those sitting very close behind him.

THE CHALLENGERS

Patrik Laine: Laine idolized Ovechkin growing up. And now he has an opportunity to snatch the goal scoring title from his childhood hero. Just 10 games ago, Laine was sitting with a cool 25 goals. Fast forward to Thursday night, and Laine scored his 14th goal in his past 10 games, putting him one behind Ovechkin in the race. What’s even more incredible about Laine is that he’s only 19 years old, and he plays the game like he has ice in his veins. It’s unlikely he’s going to let any nerves get to him as he tries to usurp Ovi. Did I mention Laine is only 19? Yikes.

Evgeni Malkin: Our very own Joey Alfieri wrote an excellent piece on Malkin and why people haven’t been talking about him. Malkin has 24 goals in 28 games since the beginning of 2018. It’s an insane amount, and a run that has him sitting on 38 goals on the season. Malkin is going to be in the running for the Hart this season. Winning the Rocket Richard might put him over the top.

Eric Staal: It’s been a decade since Staal produced a 40 goal season. He’s 33 now. But father time and the odds he brings don’t seem to care too much this season — Staal has simply turned back the clock. Staal’s heater has him with 18 goals in his past 20 games, putting him just three shy of Ovechkin with 37. Staal’s shooting percentage is sitting just below 20 percent this season and he’s averaging close to three shots a game. The math suggests he’s got a few more in him this season.

Tyler Seguin: Seguin mirrors Ovechkin in terms of his consistency. While Laine, Malkin and Staal have gone on some pretty epic goal-scoring excursions, Seguin has just scored at a nice rate throughout the year. That means Seguin will need to have some sort of streaky stretch to catch up, but his 36 goals have him right in the mix. And even a small streak could swing things in his favor if the players above him cool off.

THE PRETENDERS

William Karlsson: No one expected this. (And it’s one of the reasons why I debated having Karlsson in as a challenger). Out of all the top goal scorers in the league, Karlsson sits at the summit with a near-24 percent shooting percentage. The jury is really out on what Karlsson can do in Vegas’ last 15 games. He’s averaging north of two shots per game but hasn’t scored in his past three. No one expects him to win this race, and that’s what makes his 35 goals so intriguing.

Nathan MacKinnon: You could put Nikita Kucherov here. He’s got one more goal than MacKinnon’s 32. But Colorado’s playoff hopes rest on MacKinnon’s shoulders and MacKinnon has shown all season that he’s up for the task. MacKinnon has eight goals in his past 10 games after being sidelined for three weeks due to injury. The odds aren’t the best, but he’s scoring a rate this season and rivals those ahead of him.

ESPN.com http://www.espn.com.au/nhl/story/_/id/22728243/nhl-which-team-go-further-postseason- washington-capitals-winnipeg-jets

Jets are building toward a title with a young core, while Capitals try to keep Stanley Cup window open

Two playoff-bound teams clash on Monday night, when the Winnipeg Jets face off against the Washington Capitals. Which team will go further in the postseason?

Greg Wyshynski, senior writer: The Capitals and Jets are in two very different places in their lifespans as championship contenders. Look no further than their respective goal-scoring virtuosos: Alex Ovechkin, 32, has 97 Stanley Cup playoff games to his credit. Patrik Laine, 19, has never played in the NHL postseason. Sure, they've both appeared in the same number of championship games, which is none of them. But the Jets are clearly a team building toward a title with a young core, while the Capitals are using an industrial-strength tire jack to keep their Stanley Cup window open.

As I've said for the last two seasons: The Capitals need someone to clear the Pittsburgh Penguins off the road to a championship. Washington is 0-and-3 against Sidney Crosby in the postseason, with Pittsburgh winning the Stanley Cup each time it has thwarted the Caps. I don't believe that the Capitals can beat Pittsburgh, and whether it's against the Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils or Columbus Blue Jackets in round one, I think the Penguins will advance. Which means the Capitals' season will probably end in the semifinals -- again.

The Jets, meanwhile, will have home ice against their first-round foe (the Minnesota Wild or ) before facing the Nashville Predators -- unless the Predators get upended by a wild card (with Jonathan Quick and the looming on the bubble, that's not impossible). If the Preds make it through ... buckle up. The teams have combined for 29 goals in three games thus far.

I give the slim advantage here to Winnipeg if only because Nashville doesn't have some kind of demonic hex on the Jets as the Penguins apparently have on the Capitals. But also because this counter-argument involves the Capitals and playoff success -- which are, at last check, antonyms.

Emily Kaplan, national NHL reporter: Out of these two teams, no question the Jets entertained me more this season. They were a more complete team -- steady through the lineup, dynamic, bolstered by star turns from Laine and Mark Scheifele and benefitting from surprise performances from rookie Kyle Connor and Connor Hellebuyck.

But when I look at the Jets, there's one word I always go back to: young. Winnipeg on the cusp of being great, but the roster doesn't boast a ton of experience. While the Jets are buoyed by some veterans like defenseman , winger Blake Wheeler and now center Paul Stastny, this team has not won a single playoff game since relocating from Atlanta in 2011. While Hellebuyck has been a revelation, the 24-year-old has never played in the postseason. A hot goaltender is a key ingredient for a long playoff run, so I assume he'll stay composed under pressure. Stingy is another ingredient, and the Jets have been stellar on D. They are fifth-best in the league in goals per game, allowing 2.6. The Capitals are more mediocre in this area, as a leaky defense has been a concern since training camp. Washington is below the league average, allowing 2.93 goals per game.

As it stands now, the Jets would face the Wild in the first round, and that's a tough matchup. The Capitals, meanwhile, would draw the Devils -- young and plucky like the Jets, but once again, potentially overmatched by experience. My heart wants the Jets to make a long playoff run, but my gut says the Ovechkin-led Capitals -- a team that has plenty of experience playing in April and May -- may make it further.

Chris Peters, NHL prospects writer: What will be more difficult to overcome, the psyche that comes with not being able to get past the second round in the Ovechkin era for the Capitals or the relative inexperience of the Jets when it comes to the postseason? Both of those can be viewed as deficits, but they also could create some level of hunger in each team. In the case of the Capitals, we've been wondering for years if this is the year. Honestly, this doesn't feel like the year, but I still think they have a better chance of advancing further than the Jets. I'm just not sure either ends up getting past the second round, for many of the same reasons Greg and Emily noted above.

The current playoff format really hampers the Jets, in that they'd have to face the titan of their own division in the second round. I just think Nashville is a deeper team overall -- even though I don't think the gap is as significant as you might think -- and after getting so close last year, the Predators are even better now. On the other side, the Caps are used to the playoff format putting them in a tough spot, but you have to find a way, right? They might have just enough to get past the Penguins this time, but I'm going to need to see it to believe it.

Regardless of which team goes further, I think this is going to be an important building-block season for Winnipeg. The Jets are right on the cusp of taking their place among the league's heavyweights. They have a few key contracts to resolve this summer, namely Hellebuyck's and Jacob Trouba's new deals as restricted free agents, but the Jets' core has a chance to be special over the next few seasons. That Stanley Cup window seems like it's peeking open. It will be interesting to see what Winnipeg can do during this postseason, where it should be viewed at least as a legitimate threat.