THERE IT IS! Welcome to the NHL, Lane Hutson.
First game, first point. #GoHabsGo have the 1-0 lead pic.twitter.com/jMUzLi16bq
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) April 15, 2024
It obviously started quickly with his first point (against his idol Patrick Kane, among others) in his second appearance on an NHL rink. Still…
Yesterday’s game allowed us to see what I’ll call “the real Lane Hutson” on the ice. Why do I say that?
But obviously, that’s not in his DNA… for better or for worse.
I imagine that being made to feel confident by his new team-mates (going to dinner with David Savard and the boys, in particular) and being so well received helped him to heed Martin St-Louis’ advice: have fun.
Random clip of Lane Hutson sitting on the bench, talking to David Svard (I know what you want, you scoundrels) #GoHabsgo pic.twitter.com/CU3ejuVAnp
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) April 15, 2024
We saw it in the first period, when he helped Brendan Gallagher score, but was on the ice for the Red Wings’ first goal. That, too, is the Lane Hutson experience.
But we also saw it in overtime, when he stepped up and had an excellent chance to score… but it created a turnover and allowed the Red Wings to score and win the game. It was perfect for the standings, but we’re getting sidetracked.
I know, I know: the overtime game moves fast, and it’s not the only one to cause three-on-three turnovers. That said, it’s still a perfect example of its strengths and weaknesses in a matter of seconds.
Yesterday, he was there to burn a year off his contract, but also to see what he needs to work on over the off-season to come back strong at the club’s next training camp. We shouldn’t take everything we saw on the ice for granted … even if, in the end, we saw some great things.
He didn’t seem afraid of the NHL’s level of play, which is a few notches above the NCAA’s, let’s face it. His passes were precise and he often used his strengths well on short plays.
Remember when people said he couldn’t skate very well?
Heh. #Hutson pic.twitter.com/k3wpPUA5uB
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) April 15, 2024
It’s also worth noting that he got one shot, finished the game at -1 and that Martin St-Louis was impressed by the young man’s game.
But hey. Yesterday’s game, the penultimate of the 2023-2024 season, wasn’t all Lane Hutson. And that’s even if he was clearly the one who made the match interesting.
It’s not ideal for learning, and it gives you a point in the standings, which isn’t ideal in defeat. That said, Martin St-Louis could have tried to lose the point. #Wild
Suggestion: Martin St-Louis should pull his goalie. We’d lose the bonus point if we lose the game.
If not, well… it’d be the talk of the town and make for a great show.
– Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) April 16, 2024
2. Once again, the Habs didn’t have a power play during the game. It’s happened a lot this season, which is pretty special when you think about it. Generating a penalty is an art.
In the last four games, it’s happened three times to the Habs.
3. The Red Wings were playing meaningful games. They had to win yesterday’s game to stay alive… and even if it didn’t look like it at the start of the game, it was clear that in the end, the guys were fighting for their lives.
Confession: I’m still jealous that Red Wings fans are treated to a meaningful game in April.
I can’t wait until the rebuild is over and we’re winning series 4-0. That’ll be cool.
– Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) April 16, 2024
4. Samuel Montembeault is not having the end of the season of his dreams. He’s not playing badly, but he seems a little out of breath. He sometimes gives away goals he shouldn’t.
Giving away three goals in the last 25 minutes isn’t ideal.
5. The Habs got eaten by the Red Wings (who made sure the Michigan chickens would get their wings clipped if the famous “five goals eight wings” applied there) in terms of shots.
35 versus 21 isn’t even close.
6. Rafaël Harvey-Pinard hadn’t scored since January 15 in Colorado. That’s three months… and only his second goal in 44 games this season.
7. Throwing an octopus on the ice reminds us that we’re in Detroit. It happened twice yesterday, and that’s when the tide began to turn for the Red Wings.
Me for about 20 years: throwing an octopus on the ice is a fun tradition.
Me in this economy: you’re just THROWING AWAY PERFECTLY GOOD OCTOPUS? pic.twitter.com/jleCA7b4GC
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) April 16, 2024
8. Justin Barron, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and Brendan Gallagher (twice) found the back of the net. Gally has four goals in his last four games, which is no mean feat.
But it’s too late.
Suzuki has 76 points in 81 games. He’s not expected to score six points tonight, which will prevent him from reaching the 82-point plateau. Still, his season is superb.
Extension
The Canadiens saw Lucas Raymond (last two goals of the game) prevent them from coming home with two points in the standings. For Tankathon, that’s good… even if there’s one point too many in the standings alongside the overtime defeat.
Martin St-Louis’ men control their destiny. A regular-season loss tonight would guarantee them a top-5 finish (towards the bottom) in the NHL and a top-7 pick in the next draft.
Tonight’s game won’t be easy for the Habs, even though they’ll be back home and energized by the young defensemen and the crowd. After all, the Red Wings will be fighting to make the playoffs with everything they’ve got.
The Habs won’t be practicing this morning, by the way.
His family’s on the road, anyway…