Where will Lane Hutson rank in Habs rookie defensemen scoring at the end of the year?

Lane Hutson could already put his name in the conversation for the Montreal Canadiens best player title.

I can't say he's better than Nick Suzuki or Cole Caufield, but I think the sky is the limit for his potential. Each game you watch him play, it's almost like he challenges himself to do something even more difficult or mind-boggling. Hutson sits tied with Petr Svoboda (5th) for rookie season points by a defenseman in Habs history (31).

As Andrew Zadarnowski kindly shared on his X account, Hutson isn't far off from passing PK Subban in his pursuit of number one. Subban electrified the league, and especially the NHL with his talent, and his 38-rookie season is more than within reach for Hutson. There is no telling what Hutson will achieve beyond this year, but his scoring has his name etched in the Canadiens record book.

There are 41 regular season games remaining on the Habs 2024-2025 schedule, and Hutson is on a heater. Montreal's Calder Trophy hopeful has scored 20 points in his last 20 games and has shown no signs of slowing down. Chris Chelios sits at number one with 64 points during his rookie season in 1984-85.

Hutson would need to score 33 more over his final 41 games to tie Chelios, a tall task indeed. This is Hutson, though, and he has continued to look increasingly more dynamic in each passing game. Certainly, his main focus is on helping the team win games, and he has done a tremendous job; but he could rewrite the record book if he keeps up his ridiculous scoring rate.

Montreal has been referred to as a 'wagon', and I'm aboard the Lane Train which has been a crucial part of the Habs' strong play. With a healthy Patrik Laine back in the lineup, Hutson is afforded another weapon on the power play. We have seen a little bit of how dynamic the Hutson-to-Laine connection can be, and I expect it will only get better with time.

Hutson does it at both ends

Montreal was in heavy visiting the Washington Capitals in their home barn, the second-best team in the National Hockey League. The beasts of the east played an expectedly strong game, but the Habs got strong play from their defence. Rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes was brilliant in his third career start, holding the Capitals to two goals.

For anyone who watched the game, you have to appreciate the impressive defensive play that Hutson made in overtime. Hutson's offence is talked about constantly, but it somewhat overshadows the effort he makes defensively. It was a bit of luck and a bit of strong positioning, but Hutson blocked a pass attempt and it bounced into open space for Cole Caufield.

Hutson's streak was about to end at 19 points in 19 games, but in typical Hutson fashion, he made an impressive play. Caufield collected the loose puck and chugged through the neutral zone with captain Nick Suzuki on a 2-on-1. Caufield passed it to Suzuki, who tried to pass it back but ended up tapping it past Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson for the game-winner.

Suzuki's 13th goal of the season was his second-consecutive overtime winner and his fourth of the season. Hutson and Caufield also assisted on his game-winner against the Vancouver Canucks on January 6. Perhaps Hutson's 65th point of the season will be assisted by No. 13 and 14.