Lane Hutson throws huge hit on Adrian Kempe

Lane Hutson isn't going to be the guy who is expected to throw hits or get into spirited scrums for the Montreal Canadiens, or is he?

No, he isn't, but he is a guy, who despite his small frame is going to do all that he can to slow down the opposition. Hutson showed a new side to his game on Thursday night, during a one-on-one sequence against Kings forward Adrian Kempe, Hutson gave it his all, delivering a hip check to slow him down. The element of surprise is likely what made it look so great, because i'm sure if Kempe had expected it, it may have gone a different way.

The Canadiens effort might not be one that anybody would be proud of, but Hutson managed over 30 minutes of ice time and did his all to make an impact. I think for the bigger defenders and forwards, seeing the 5-foot-10 and 165-pound defender throwing hits and battling larger opponents in front of the net should fire the boys up. It takes a lot of heart to play that way, especially when most of the opposition would give Hutson all that he can handle.

Hutson was drafted because he is dynamic, but the way he has grown and the competitor that he is has to have Habs management grinning from ear-to-ear.

Hutson has arrived

If you're anything like me, you get chills when Hutson takes to the ice, and as a rookie, who wasn't a first round pick that speaks volumes about him. Im not suggesting that a player has to be selected in round one to be a star. But Hutson slipping that way, and arriving in Montreal two season later is mighty impressive.

Now, with Mike Matheson injured, Hutson has seen time on the number one power play. It isn't a fun scenario for Matheson to be out, in fact, the Canadiens are quite young and inexperienced without him. But Hutson has an opportunity many called for, and I think he may create magic soon.

He is here to stay and the big minutes have come for him, with that it's only a matter of time before Montreal's top power play unit really lights it up. I have mad respect for Matheson, but Hutson's creativity is on another level. He has already frustrated Brady Tkachuk with his headfakes, and he is so evasive and smart, it is only a matter of time before he starts collecting power play points.