After another impressive performance from the Canadiens last night, the team earned their first win in 10 games against their division rival Ottawa Senators.
Nine Habs players added their names to the scoresheet in the 4-1 win. Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Lane Hutson all tallied two points while Samuel Montembault stopped 24 of the 25 shots fired at him by Ottawa.
But after the game, everyone talked about the same thing: Lane Hutson.
The 20-year-old rookie scored his third and fourth points of the season, with assists to Emil Heineman and Alex Newhook's goals. He now tallies six points in five NHL games. In fact, the only game that saw Hutson held pointless in his NHL career was the Habs' home opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Watch the highlights here:
After the game, footage emerged of a sequence that went unnoticed during the third period.
Hutson was standing behind his net and faked a pass to his right before going to the left and finding his teammate near the opposing blue line. Senators' players Drake Batherson and Noah Gregor were tricked by Hutson, just like the cameraman.
Here's the video:
With Hutson, the Canadiens are a brand-new team. Every time he steps on the ice, he creates chances and makes the best play available. He's probably the player with the best vision in the team already.
The Canadiens hit a home run at the 2022 draft by getting him at the 62nd overall pick. He's already among NHL elites for end-to-end rushes, right under Jack Hughes and Dylan Cozens, two of the most dynamic players in the league.
He even gets mentioned in debates for the Calder Trophy, alongside names like Matvei Michkov and Macklin Celebrini.
It's still too early to talk about the season awards, however, Habs fans have something to be excited about every time they watch a game. After Laine's injury, fans hoped to see someone else rise, and that's what Hutson is doing.
POLL | ||
Do you think Lane Hutson will lead the Montreal Canadiens' defensemen in points this season? | ||
Yes | 166 | 66.1 % |
No | 85 | 33.9 % |
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