Lane Hutson returned to the ice at the Bell Centre on Monday morning, skating without any restrictions under the watch of Martin St-Louis, and just his presence lifted everyone’s spirits in Montreal.
That picture was important. The Canadiens are currently tied 1-1 against Carolina, and Hutson plays a crucial role in their power play, defense, and starting offensive plays. Losing him at this point would be a big blow to their chances in the series.
So when reporters saw their 22-year-old defenseman skating around the rink with his usual style and relaxed movements, there was a noticeable sense of relief. He wasn’t limping. He didn’t hesitate as he skated near the faceoff circles.
You could sense a collective sigh of relief from the Canadiens players in the arena.
Hutson wrapped up the regular season with an impressive 78 points in 82 games, which included 12 goals and a remarkable +36 rating. He’s not just a supporting player; he’s a key part of the team’s offense.
His playoff stats tell a similar story. He has 14 points in 16 games this spring, with 8 assists on the power play already earned.
Why the Canadiens need their playmaker for Tuesday
Montreal’s path through the playoffs against Tampa and Buffalo has relied a lot on their special teams, and the player leading that effort is the young guy wearing No. 48.
He’s the one who changes the game’s momentum. He’s the one who puts pressure on the opponent. Carolina is aware of that. Coach Rod Brind’Amour spent Game 2 ensuring that his team put pressure on him every chance they got.
What was observed on Monday morning is important. Hutson was smoothly moving sideways, hitting the pucks accurately, and bouncing back up after stopping – he looked relaxed and confident.
Anthony Martineau described him as “in good shape. ” Eric Engels said he looked “just like Lane Hutson. ” These two reporters, who are very well-informed, shared the same impression.
That doesn’t mean it’s certain. Morning practices can conceal issues. However, after a moment in Game 2 that made all Habs fans focus on the trainer’s area, hearing that he skated without problems is positive news. Plus, he was the first one out on the ice, which is a good sign.
Game 3 is on Tuesday night. If Hutson is there for the start of the game, Montreal can stick to their game plan. And he will be ready, more eager than ever.
If anything shifts before warmups, everything in the series could change dramatically.
Leave a Reply