Ranking Laine and Matthews’ 8 goals

Matthews? Or Laine?

Get used to this debate for the next 10 to 15 years, at least. Forever, actually.

The Toronto Maple Leafs' and Winnipeg Jets' prized rookies - drafted first and second overall in June - faced each other for the first time Wednesday and the matchup did not disappoint. Laine, the catalyst of an impressive Jets third-period comeback, had a hat trick - capped in overtime after Matthews was stopped on a breakaway, no less. Matthews finished with an assist and seven shots.

Each player has four goals and one assist after a week of NHL hockey. Laine's played four games to Matthews' three.

We've taken the liberty of scientifically ranking the eight goals the teenagers have scored so far. Shall we?

1. Matthews' 2nd

The gold standard, so far. The skill on display was simply sublime.

2. Laine's 1st vs. Toronto

Watch from the 0:33 mark - it's the best angle to see how ridiculous Laine's first of probably hundreds of goals against Toronto was. For Laine to be able to take a puck off his skate, turn and fire, and put it where he did is unfair.

3. Laine's 1st NHL goal

It's insane where Laine put that puck with all the traffic in front of the net. His wrist shot is probably already top 10 in the league.

4. Matthews' hat-trick goal

If you count how long the puck was on Matthews' stick, you wouldn't hit one second. Incredible release and accuracy.

5. Laine's OT winner

Frederik Andersen is 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, yet Laine had no problem putting the puck exactly where he wanted to - glove side upstairs.

6. Matthews' 4th

Matthews makes finishing a saucer pass on a two-on-one look awfully easy. And he gets marks for his lack of a celebration. Kid scores four goals in two periods in his NHL debut and not only acts like he's been there before, he acts like he knows he's going to do it again.

7. Laine's one-timer

Laine's going to score a lot of goals on the power play from one knee at the top of the left circle.

8. Matthews' 1st

A "cleaning up the garbage in front" tally, but you never forget your first.

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