Winnipeg Jets rookie Patrik Laine recently hit 50 points. This weekend, in fact! For a brief moment in time, he sat alone in the NHL Rookie of the Year conversation.
Maple Leafs rookie Auston Matthews scores incredible goal while falling down
Seems familiar.
And in one moment on Sunday, his direct competitor stole the spotlight with vigor.
Maple Leafs rookie Auston Matthews hit 49 points in Toronto’s 4-0 win in Carolina, including a goal of the year candidate that left every mouth agape.
People are already drawing comparisons to Alex Ovechkin’s iconic goal during his rookie year in the league. You can sense the similarities, for sure.
Laine and Matthews are on pace to become just the third pair of rookies to eclipse the 40-goal mark in NHL history. Matthews was the first overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, and Laine was the second overall pick.
