Laine to compete in accuracy and hardest shot contests at all-star weekend

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This article was published 27/01/2017 (3530 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine is headed to Los Angeles this weekend to take part in the NHL All-Star festivities.

And besides being just one of two rookies – Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs being the other – to play in Sunday’s tournament at the Staples Center, Laine is scheduled for two different events in the skills competition on Saturday: accuracy shooting and hardest shot.

It’s two events Laine is familiar with, as he competed and did well in both earlier this season when the Jets hosted a team skills competition on Dec. 16.

The 18-year-old hit four targets in four shots over a span of 8.4 seconds. To put that score in perspective, John Tavares of the New York Islanders posted the fastest score in last year’s event with a time of 12.294 seconds.

Laine finished second in the hardest shot competition, with Dustin Byfuglien winning by the slimmest of margins, 101.3 m.p.h. compared to Laine at 101.2 m.p.h.

Laine is tied for the team lead in goals (22) and is fourth in points (40) through 52 games, despite missing eight of those with a concussion. In two games since returning from his head injury, Laine has one goal and two assists, including a two-point night in Thursday’s 5-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

The skills competition is set to begin at 6 p.m. (CBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports), and will be preceded by an All-Star Celebrity Shootout – an event that pins NHL legends against celebrities – at 4:15 pm.

Sunday’s games will kick off at 2:30 p.m.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.catwitter: @jeffkhamilton