Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

Canadiens’ Lane Hutson is already a playoff superstar

Steven Ellis
Steven Ellis(sellishockey)
May 15, 2026, 11:00 EDTUpdated: May 15, 2026, 09:29 EDT
Canadiens’ Lane Hutson is already a playoff superstar
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

BUFFALO – “Sorry, what the f—- was that? He’s insane!”

Yes, Buffalo Sabres fan in the Buffaslug jersey. Yes, he is. Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson is a human highlight reel, worth every penny you spent to watch him up close. Hutson is one of the NHL’s most exciting players, blending ankle-scorching skating with some of the best passes you’ll find from any defenseman.

With an assist on the game-tying 3-3 goal in the second period, Hutson is up to six points in his past four games, and 12 points through 12 outings. That’s good for second in scoring among defenders, trailing only Minnesota’s Quinn Hughes (15 points) through two rounds.

This is Hutson’s first true playoff push. He had a taste a year ago against the Washington Capitals, but the Canadiens were knocked out in the first round. Hutson still managed five points in that series, playing over 25 minutes a night in nearly every game. But this year, not only is he playing more, but he’s been one of Montreal’s most consistent performers as the club still looks to get a bit more out of their top forwards at 5-on-5.

Hutson’s consistency has been absolute electric. His play? Remarkable. He’s as legit of a puck-mover as you’ll find. His defensive game continues to get better, too. The eye-test confirms it, and the stats do, too. Hutson has been absolutely mega for the Canadiens. Jakub Dobes entered this series as the team MVP, and he looked great in Game 2 and 3. But with him faltering a bit at the KeyBank Center in Montreal’s fifth game against the Buffalo Sabres, it was Hutson who, yet again, proved to be lethal with the puck.

Nobody will confuse Hutson with a sniper – although those first-round goals were absolute beauties. Hutson’s way of dominating the play is making sure nobody gets near him to strip him of the puck.

And it works like a charm. Canadiens fans haven’t seen a defenseman with this much flash or pizzaz since P.K. Subban back in 2014, when he put up an impressive 14 points. That was in 17 games – Hutson is on pace to blast that quite soon.

Some players are built to thrive in big moments. Hutson – one of the smaller elite blueliners – has never been one to back down to a challenge. That pass on the Anderson goal ultimately shifted the momentum back towards Montreal, and they never backed down.

“He can see everything,” Ivan Demidov said following Game 5. “His vision, his mobility, his skating and his passing. He’s just so good.”

Hutson is averaging 2.08 points per 60 minutes, which is good for third among blueliners still participating in the playoffs. He’s top 10 in most other categories, including shots attempted (5.7) and assists (1.67). Hutson is only in Year 2 of his NHL career, yet he’s playing with the poise of a seasoned veteran.

What makes Hutson fascinating, though, is how he has continued to be dominant offensively without sacrificing his defensive play. He had 66 points as a rookie before improving to 78 this past season. More importantly, though, is his -4.7 defensive GAR in 2024-25 improved to 4.0 in 2025-26. It’s not uncommon for a defender to see their offense struggle to improve their own-zone game. Instead, Hutson became truly incredible at both ends of the ice – something that didn’t look possible when he was still a prospect (or, at least something scouts didn’t believe in).

Hutson routinely leads the Canadiens in ice time, often logging between 26 and 30 minutes a night. In the playoffs, it’s easy to get worn down due to the elevated physicality and the grind a long series can have. Every shift is high-intensity, so it would be expected to watch a younger, smaller defensemen wear down. Hutson seems to do the opposite – he gets better as the game goes on, and can easily handle the elevated workload. Hutson makes himself virtually impossible to hit cleanly, and it’s why the Sabres have had a difficult time slowing him down.

”I feel (his confidence) comes with preparation and the time and the work to be a confident player,” coach Martin St. Louis Said. “Being confident doesn’t guarantee pucks are going to go in. But it allows you to not just be a flash in the pan.”

When big attackers are coming at you at all times, it’s easy to panic. Hutson has never been one to fall for a trap like that, which has allowed him to be so slippery. When you’re going up against a defender who can not only outwork you, but outskate you and outthink you, too, you’re doomed.

There’s no question that Hutson has the wow-factor handled quite nicely. Few blueliners dominate shifts as he does. Hutson is a special defenseman who shines in the spotlight. It’ll be shining bright in Montreal as they play their first Saturday game of the postseason with a chance to end Buffalo’s season early. Given Hutson’s raw consistency and overpowering puck control, the Sabres have a massive hill to climb.

Just remember Hutson when your favorite small draft eligible defender falls deep in the draft this summer.

SPONSORED BY bet365

Recent Articles by Steven Ellis

MORE FACEOFF.IN YOUR INBOX.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR DAILY NEWSLETTER