Laine downplays facing Matthews again: 'I don't care'
If you ask Patrik Laine, it isn't Laine versus Auston Matthews. It's the Winnipeg Jets versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Jets and Leafs tangle for the second time this season in Toronto Tuesday, with the two rookies set to face each other again, after being drafted one-two in the summer.
Laine was bludgeoned with talk of the rivalry ahead of the game, and you can tell the subject is getting tirefor the young Finn.
"Um, I think we're playing against Toronto, I'm not sure, but, yeah, I don't care," Laine said Tuesday when asked if he pays any extra attention to the matchup and rivalry. "I think the media is trying to make a bigger deal out of that. We're focused on playing against the Maple Leafs."
Laine had a hat trick - the first of his career - against Toronto the first time the teams met in October in Winnipeg, while Matthews had an assist and seven shots on goal. The Jets won 5-4 on overtime, Laine - obviously - scoring the winner.
HEADLINES
- Report: Rangers want roster shake-up; Trouba, Kreider among options
- Report: Sens aggressively pursuing defensemen after Zub injury
- Montgomery: 'Crazy' week but 'no-brainer' to return to Blues
- Green defends Tkachuk's fire: Senators 'lucky to have this guy'
- Predators trade Tomasino to Penguins for 4th-rounder