Josh Anderson didn't score for the Montreal Canadiens against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the statistics don't paint the picture quite well enough.
After struggling, almost to the point of concern, Anderson has been on an impressive stretch. I wouldn't say he is scoring more goals or making more plays, because that isn't his game. But the powerhorse has come into the 2024-25 season, looking more polished and confident.
Changing the way that he uses his speed has enabled him to consistently pressure the opposition's defence. Anderson's rushes on offense have continued, but his improve defensive game has made him the ideal penalty killer. Simplifying his puck touches, and driving to the net with the puck has made him a matchup nightmare.
Josh Anderson shoots wide on the penalty shot. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/FmJ58V5x2T
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) February 9, 2025
On Sunday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Anderson challenged one of the game's best defenders Victor Hedman. The big Swedish monster was left with no choice but to reach out to stop Anderson from breaking in on Vasilevskiy all alone. Very seldom does Hedman get beat, and that tells you all you need to know about how impressive it was for Anderson to do.
Unfortunately, he missed the penalty shot, but I think the fact that he was awarded a penalty shot in the first place, is significant. Anderson has looked more like a workhorse this season, chipping in on the penalty kill and playing important minutes. I don't think he is ever going to score close to 30 goals again or be worth the dollar value he earns, but he makes a difference when he is engaged.
Much like Juraj Slafkovsky, both guys struggle when they aren't moving their feet because they force passes and try to be too fancy with the puck. Skating, hitting and shooting are the fundamentals for a power forward. But once those simple, tried-and-true things aren't focused on, the player might be lost.
I was always of the belief that if Anderson wants to be a productive player for this team, then he needs to stop being a wizard with the puck. That isn't his game, and the sooner he abandons trying to force it to be, the sooner he will find his rhythm. Anderson has gone back to the basics, obviously studied plenty of game tape, and used his strengths for positive plays.
Anderson takes a certain pride in being able to keep defensemen on their heels, both with his speed and the impact he can make with bone-crunching hits. Safe to say his season performance to this point has him feeling proud and confident.
Should Lane Hutson have been considered for Team USA?
Immediately when I saw that Quinn Hughes was pulling out of the 4 Nations Faceoff, I thought wouldn't Lane Hutson be an ideal replacement? I'm not suggesting that he would make the same impact or warrant the same attention as Hughes. But they are similar builds, and their game is all about having the puck, and using their skating.
Hutson has experienced internationally, playing at the U-18's in consecutive years (2020-21, 2021-22) and the World Juniors in back-to-back years (2022-23, 2023-24). He also represented his native Team USA in 2022-23, scoring six points in nine games. Hutson has had success, and been a positive impact on his team at every level, it feels like it would have been a natural fit.
I think next time around, he just might have his name thrown into the ring for a spot on the American blueline.