Canadiens’ Hutson Adds to Assist Record in Loss to Ducks – The Hockey Writers – Canadiens History
In a bittersweet performance, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson tallied a new-record-setting 118th career assist in the team’s 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.
Last week, in the team’s 3-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, Hutson notched his 116th assist in his 147th career game. With three games to spare, that broke Hall of Famer Sergei Zubov’s record for defensemen of 115 assists through the first 150 contests of his career. Hutson then notched his 117th against the Ottawa Senators the next night, before going pointless against the San Jose Sharks this past Saturday.
Hutson’s Historic Night Turns Sour
Against the Ducks on Sunday, Hutson helped get the Canadiens on the board, after they had fallen behind 2-0 early in the second period. One minute and change after Leo Carlsson scored the go-ahead goal, Hutson fed Alex Newhook for the 2-1 one-timer goal, which jumpstarted a (short-lived) Habs comeback. Unfortunately, it was an otherwise disappointing performance on the part of last year’s Calder Memorial Trophy winner and the Habs overall.
Related: Canadiens Rookie Hutson Having Season for the Record Books
Literally one minute following the Newhook goal, Cole Caufield scored to tie the game, while Nick Suzuki temporarily put them ahead 3-2 midway through the frame. Troy Terry tied the game at three apiece before the end of the period. Cutter Gauthier scored the game-winning goal with 2:30 left in the game, with Hutson losing him on the play. Then, as the Canadiens tried to press for the tying goal and reach overtime, Habs forward Phillip Danault won a critical faceoff in the offensive zone with 10 seconds left only for Hutson to lose the puck at the blue line, resulting in a missed opportunity to generate a scoring chance and the eventual loss.
With the loss, the Canadiens dropped their second straight, falling to 36-20-10. Hutson now has 11 goals and 56 assists (67 points) in 66 games this season. He is currently tied for third in scoring among defensemen with Quinn Hughes of the Minnesota Wild and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche. Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard (76) leads the field. Overall, Hutson has 17 goals and 135 points over his 150-game career.
