Lane Hutson couldn’t believe it - and frankly, neither could anyone else watching.
Late in the second period of the Canadiens’ 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild at Bell Centre, the 20-year-old defenseman was whistled for a tripping penalty that, on replay, looked like anything but. Wild forward Marcus Foligno lost his footing while skating backward, with no discernible contact from Hutson’s stick or body. Still, the officials slapped Hutson with a two-minute minor that had the crowd in Montreal buzzing - and not in a good way.
Call it a “phantom penalty,” call it a blown call - whatever the label, it was one of the more glaring officiating errors we’ve seen this season. And it didn’t go unnoticed.
Referee Eric Furlatt approached Hutson at the start of the third period to offer an apology. A rare move, but one that didn’t change the fact that the damage had already been done.
Minnesota capitalized on the power play, with Vladimir Tarasenko burying one to tie the game 3-3. It was a momentum swing that could’ve cost Montreal dearly.
The reaction from fans was swift and unforgiving. Social media lit up with criticism aimed squarely at the officiating crew. Frustration boiled over not just because of the call itself, but because of what it represented - another questionable moment in a season where consistency from the officials has been under the microscope.
Despite the controversy, Hutson didn’t let the moment define his night. In fact, he responded the way top players do - by making an impact where it matters most.
Just minutes before the penalty, he had already made his mark on the scoresheet, scoring at 12:35 of the second period to give the Canadiens a 3-2 lead. That goal brought him to 52 points in 50 games - an impressive tally for a young blueliner still finding his NHL footing.
Lane Hutson got a tripping penalty for this... pic.twitter.com/E7ZbrR3IIt
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 21, 2026
Cole Caufield would go on to seal the win with just 15 seconds left, securing Montreal’s 28th win of the season and keeping them firmly in the mix in the Atlantic Division. At 28-15-7, the Canadiens are not just surviving - they’re contending, and nights like this, even with the drama, show why.
After the game, Hutson kept it composed, praising the team’s effort in a gritty, emotional win.
“All our guys played the right way,” he said. “We played a deep game, won a lot of puck battles, and it paid off. I think we played a really good game all around.”
Head coach Martin St. Louis, on the other hand, was less diplomatic. He didn’t mince words when asked about the penalty, defending his young star with fiery passion.
“It’s a f***ing joke!!!” St.
Louis shouted at the officials during the game. Later, he called the penalty “a disgrace.”
And in the heat of a playoff race, it’s hard to blame him. Every point matters, and calls like this - even when they’re later acknowledged as mistakes - can swing games and, potentially, postseason positioning.
For the Canadiens, though, the takeaway isn’t just about officiating. It’s about resilience.
They took a gut-punch call, responded with poise, and came out with two points. That’s the kind of response that builds belief - in the locker room, in the fanbase, and maybe even across the league.
If Lane Hutson and the Canadiens keep showing this kind of fight, they won’t just be in the playoff conversation - they’ll be a problem when they get there.