In a performance that mixed triumph with a touch of heartbreak, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson set a new milestone with his 118th career assist during the team’s 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.
Just last week, Hutson made headlines by breaking Hall of Famer Sergei Zubov’s record for defensemen, securing his 116th assist in only his 147th game during a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. He continued his impressive run with his 117th assist against the Ottawa Senators, although he went without a point against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
Hutson’s Historic Night
Facing the Ducks, Hutson sparked a rally for the Canadiens after they fell behind 2-0 early in the second period. Just over a minute after Leo Carlsson's go-ahead goal, Hutson set up Alex Newhook for a crucial one-timer, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and igniting a brief comeback. Despite the promising start, the night turned sour for last year’s Calder Memorial Trophy winner and the Canadiens.
Cole Caufield quickly leveled the score, and Nick Suzuki put the Canadiens ahead 3-2 midway through the period. However, Troy Terry equalized before the period ended, and Cutter Gauthier netted the game-winner with just 2:30 left, slipping past Hutson on the play. In a last-ditch effort to tie the game, Phillip Danault won a vital faceoff in the offensive zone with 10 seconds remaining, but Hutson lost control at the blue line, squandering a final scoring opportunity.
With this defeat, the Canadiens have now dropped two in a row, bringing their record to 36-20-10. Hutson boasts 11 goals and 56 assists (67 points) in 66 games this season, tying him for third in scoring among defensemen with Quinn Hughes of the Minnesota Wild and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche.
Edmonton Oilers' Evan Bouchard leads the pack with 76 points. Overall, Hutson has accumulated 17 goals and 135 points over his 150-game career, continuing to make his mark as a standout defenseman.