No magic in Laine’s plan for tonight’s debut

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This article was published 30/09/2016 (3291 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s the moment Winnipeg Jets fans have been waiting for since the team struck gold at the draft lottery in April.

Patrik Laine will make his highly-anticipated debut as a Jet tonight against Edmonton at the MTS Centre. The No. 2 overall pick in June’s NHL Draft, sat out the first two exhibition games Tuesday and Thursday, but is lining up with fellow Finn Joel Armia and Nic Petan on the second forward unit.

“I know that everybody is expecting me to do so something magical or something, but I just want to play my game and the team’s game and just give the best job that I have on the ice every shift,” Laine said after Friday morning’s skate at the MTS Iceplex. “I know that’s enough for me and my teammates, so I don’t have to worry about what other people are expecting or anything.”

Fans hoping to watch Laine on TV are out of luck; TSN will be otherwise occupied a few kilometres away at Investors Group Field, broadcasting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers-Edmonton Eskimos CFL game from coast to coast.

But the MTS Centre in-house video feed will be streamed on the TSN GO app, which can be accessed on smartphones, tablets and computers, accompanied by TSN 1290’s radio broadcast, when the puck drops just after 7.

Laine will see a familiar face when he steps on the ice; Finland’s Jesse Puljujärvi, chosen fourth overall in June, is in the Oilers lineup. Laine said he will be focused on his own game, not who he’s playing against.

“Just be brave on the ice and show everybody I will earn my spot on the team,” he said of his plan. “It will be an awesome night. Just looking forward to the first shift.”

The Jets leadership group — captain Blake Wheeler and alternates Mark Scheifele and Dustin Byfuglien who missed the early part of training camp to participate in the World Cup of Hockey — will be in the lineup tonight.

Scheifele said he’s looking forward to seeing Laine in action.

“(Laine’s) first game in front of fans you’ve been waiting to see you for a while now… obviously it’s going to be nerve-racking but it’s an exciting time, it’s your first game wearing a Winnipeg Jets jersey so it’s something to be happy about and honoured to be a part of that,” Scheifele said. “He’s a very special player and I’m sure he won’t cease to amaze.”

Scheifele and Wheeler will get an up-close look U.S. college star Kyle Connor, who will skate with them on top line tonight. Connor made his Jets debut Thursday, scoring his first goal in a 4-1 victory over Minnesota.

Chris Thorburn, Brandon Tanev, Chase De Leo, Alexander Burmistrov and Josh Morrissey also played Thursday and will dress tonight. Tanev played Tuesday as well, a sure sign he’s being given a real chance to make the club.

Michael Hutchinson will start in goal for the Jets and is expected to play the entire game.

Edmonton superstar Connor McDavid won’t be in the Edmonton lineup.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca