Lane Hutson hasn’t been named Player of the Game in nearly three months: that’s unusual

The Canadiens are happy to have Lane Hutson on their roster. Everyone knows that.

The young defenseman is very talented, but above all, he's a well-rounded player. Last season, he quickly dispelled the doubts of those who saw him only as a five-on-five specialist.
Even his brother Cole, who is brimming with talent and who scored his first NHL goal last night, said he'd “kill to move like Lane” on the ice.

Cole Hutson on being compared to his brother, Lane, and how they're similar and different.
Also said of Lane: “I'd kill to be able to move like him out there.” pic.twitter.com/O8DSl7Y9ef— Sammi Silber (@sammisilber) March 18, 2026

But even though Lane Hutson has 69 points (only Evan Bouchard is a defenseman who has more points than the Habs' defenseman at this point in the season) and hasn't suffered from the sophomore slump, he isn't always given the credit he deserves.

Why do I say that?
Because since the defenseman was named the first star of the game on December 23 against the Bruins, Hutson hasn't been named one of the three stars in any of his games. That's been almost three months.
Keep in mind that he has played in every Habs game (67) this season. And despite the Olympic break, the condensed schedule means NHL players are playing several games a week.

In fact, in addition to his first-star selection on December 23, he was named second star on December 18 (against the Blackhawks) and was also named third star twice: on December 13 against the Rangers and on October 16 against the Predators.
That's all.

Lane Hutson has 36 points in his last 28 games
That's a 105-point pace over exactly 50% of the games played so far this season
What he's been doing as a 21-year-old sophomore defenseman is absolutely ridiculous pic.twitter.com/Lg5IsqAnYE
— The Habitant (@the_habitant) February 5, 2026
Let's be clear: I don't really care about game stars. That said, I think it's unusual that a star like him, who's having a dream season and making great plays in every game, is so often overlooked.
You have to wonder why, especially. Is it just circumstantial? Who knows.

The team's other stars get their share of stars throughout the season, and the defensemen and goalies aren't overlooked. But we imagine that the fact that Hutson is more of a passer works a bit against him.

It's still weird.

In a nutshell
– Enjoy the podcast.

On the @passion_mlb podcast, @SebasBerrouard and I discuss the World Baseball Classic and Jose Berrios' injury https://t.co/xOsddVDsb1
— Charles-Alexis Brisebois (@Charles__Alexis) March 19, 2026
— One to watch.

Elliotte Friedman: When they negotiated this recent CBA, there was a provision in there… one 19-year-old…could go to the AHL; wasn't set in stone; some teams… wanted not just one, they wanted the open option; sounds like we are moving in that direction – FAN Hockey Show (3/17)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) March 19, 2026
— He's calmed down a bit.

Jack Hughes on the Hockey Hall of Fame puck controversy tonight:
“Obviously honored that the puck's there. It's like the most special place in hockey. So yeah, I'm honored that it's there. Obviously, I think things were blown out of proportion [this week]. That's just the way I felt.”
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) March 19, 2026

— To be continued.

Elliotte Friedman: Re Predators: Trotz…whether it's him or it's somebody else, maybe they didn't take apart the nucleus right now, but they could still if they want to this summer; I still think… the biggest questions are going to be this summer – DMase Vingan & Daunic (3/12)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) March 19, 2026