BU Terriers Hobey Baker Duo Make Light Work Of Connecticut
Montreal Canadiens top prospect Lane Hutson and 2024 projected first overall selection Macklin Celebrini fueled a dominant performance against the University of Connecticut Huskies
Hutson and Celebrini are both destined to become Hobey Baker finalists, an honour for college hockey’s best player, and they were feeling it on Friday night. The Terriers dynamic duo lit up Connecticut en route to a 6-1 trouncing of the Huskies. Hutson did his work on the power play, earning two assists for his effort.
#GoHabsGo top prospect Lane Hutson recorded 2 assists vs. Connecticut last night and now has a league leading 39 points in 29 games
— Costa Rontzocos (@Rontzeeez) February 24, 2024
Meanwhile, Celebrini put up 2-2-4 totals, linking up with Hutson on the power play with a beautiful one-timer. Celebrini also opened the scoring and assisted on the 2-0 goal, which stood as the eventual game-winner. The way he conducts himself and keeps producing is incredible.
With the Canadiens' likelihood of a bottom-five finish increasing game-by-game, the idea of a Hutson-Celebrini duo rears its head. While not likely, unless the draft lottery gods are kind, it would be a huge boost for the Habs offence. Hutson to Celebrini and/or Juraj Slafkovsky, oh man, that would be fun.
#GoHabsgo prospect Lane Hutson and Macklin Celebrin creating havoc in the offensive zone again: pic.twitter.com/jkucbtnNcJ
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) February 24, 2024
Wherever Celebrini gets drafted to play, it’s only a matter of time before he brings his brilliance to NHL ice. He truly is the total package, and although he might not be on Connor Bedard’s level, he isn’t going to be a slouch. What he has been able to do in his freshman season of college hockey, is nothing short of incredible.
The skills are elite, but the processor and incredibly big brain for the game are what makes him such a polarizing prospect. There have been Sidney Crosby comparisons, in terms of preparation, style and burning desire to be the best.
Lining him up with Hutson’s defence pair just came so naturally. Now the chemistry they have formed can’t be stopped by NCAA competition. The Terriers have been dominant - Celebrini and Hutson - deserve a ton of recognition for that fact.
With 25 games left to play, Kent Hughes has a big decision ahead of him - finding somebody to join Slafkovsky on the right side or in the bumper position to receive one-timer feeds from Hutson.