New York Islanders Welcome Patrik Laine to Brooklyn

New York Islanders head back home for a date against the newer, younger version of the Finish Flash or the Russian-Red-Machine, I can’t decide, as the Isles face the Winnipeg Jets.

The New York Islanders welcome the Winnipeg Jets to Brooklyn, and all I can think about is: “Is Patrik Laine more like the Teemu Selanne or Alexandre Ovechkin?”

On the one hand, he’s a fantastic player from Finland that was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets and is putting up league leading numbers in his first year. Just like Selanne did.

But on the other hand, he’s not the same type of player that Selanne was. An Alex Ovechkin type he is very much. Big, strong, and has one heck of a shot. Oh and he likes to score for the top of the faceoff circle…just like Ovie.

More from NY Islanders News

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• Islanders vs. Wild: Zach Parise returns to Minnesota (lineup, odds, +)
• Islanders vs. Jets Three takeaways: Ilya Sorok(ing) is my name
• Islanders vs Jets: Isles significant underdog in Winnipeg (lines, odds, +)
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Either way, the Islanders are going to have their hands full with the 6’5″ 206lbs 18-year-old that has 60 points (33 goals, 27 assists) in his first 62 NHL games. He doesn’t need much room to let off a powerful shot, so even just sticking a man to ghost him probably won’t be enough.

And just in case he wasn’t enough, there’s another behemoth on the Jets team by the name of Dustin Byfuglien.

Another 6’5″ player, this time with another 54lbs on his frame. Ready to freight train any player that crosses that blue line on any side of the ice. (He likes to hit. A lot.)

Who’s Hot

Who else but Josh Ho-Sang? The kid has been absolutely terrific since he joined the team in Dallas.

He’s been a constant threat at 5-on-5 and on the power play. He’s actually usurped Ryan Strome from the first powerplay unit.

And then consider that he’s got six points in his first eight games, with a three-game point streak and back-to-back multi-point games. How do you not say this kid is “hot” right now?

New York Islanders Lineup

Lee-Tavares-Bailey                Leddy-Pelech
Ladd-Nelson-Ho-Sang         Hickey-Hamonic
Kulemin-Strome-Chimera   de Haan-Seidenberg
Gionta-Quine-Clutterbuck  Greiss (Berube)

Next: Ladd is One Away From Twenty

Where to Catch the Game:

Venue: 7 PM, Barclays Center
TV: MSG +2
Radio: 880AM – WCBS, 88.7FM – WRHU