Sh*t Happens, Says Laine

Everybody keeps saying that Patrik Laine will be o.k.  It was a blip in the grand scheme of what will be a stellar NHL career.

The fact that Laine scored on his own net in the third period of a 2-2 game between the Winnipeg Jets and the Edmonton Oilers is not a big deal.  It was at the time, but by the new year no one will remember or even care.  Jets fans certainly won't, so why would anyone else.  Except the naysayers that is.  Perhaps fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs who secretly wish the Leafs had selected Laine instead of Austen Matthews. Maybe even Oilers fans who are still miffed that the Jets moved up four spots to steal number two from them in last summer's draft.

Just three days after Laine had "embarrassed Winnipeg," he was back in River City at the Jets practice when he told reporters, "What happened Sunday?" like he has already forgotten it as he should.  "I haven't thought about that.  It's gone.  Shit happens sometimes.  Now it was my turn."

Big points for Blake Wheeler for immediately showing support and leadership to a potentially season-damaging mistake when the Jets captain went over and hugged Laine with his left arm, after Laine had come back to the bench after he popped the puck in behind Connor Hellebyuck, and told him to forget it and use the time left in the game to redeem himself.

Laine has apparently forgotten about it.  His team mates have forgotten about it and most Winnipeg Jets fans have already forgotten about it.  Why?  Because although he is only 18 years old, he already has the mindset that indeed "shit happens."  Plus, you have to believe this will only make him more determined.  Hell, he'll probably score his third hat-trick this season against the Florida Panthers later tonight.

That could be a real possibility.  Overall, the Jets have handled the Panthers more than adequately over the past few seasons. The Cats have had a few good high-scoring games against them, but with wins of scores of 7-0, 7-2 and 8-2, Laine has an opportunity to not only right a wrong, but to erase it from any future discourse.  At least that wrong could be easily dismissed.  Of course I'm not forgetting Jaromir Jagr. He will no doubt have something to say about the outcome of tonight's match-up, but look for Laine to double his efforts and show he is the type of player that can sincerely put it behind him and keep putting pucks in the net; and seemingly at will at that.

As for all the internet "experts" who actually think Laine didn't know what end of the rink he was in and just by instinct as a pure goal scorer shot the puck at the net?  Seriously, shut down your computers and never offer an opinion ever again.
It was quite clear he was trying to clear it into the corner and the puck just hit a spot on the blade of his stick that made it veer off in the wrong direction.

Besides, it won't really matter tonight now anyways now will it?