Montreal’s Lane Hutson produced a goal and a dazzling assist to help the Canadiens overcome a two‑goal deficit and defeat the Buffalo Sabres 4‑3 in a shootout. The 22‑year‑old defenceman logged a team‑high 27 minutes of ice time, including crucial three‑on‑three overtime work, while stepping up in the absence of injured blueliner Mike Matheson. Kaiden Guhle also made a strong impression in his second game of the season, logging over 25 minutes and providing the physical presence Montreal needed on the back end. The victory marked Montreal’s first meeting with Buffalo since eliminating them in last spring’s playoffs.
Hutson’s Offensive Flash
Hutson answered Buffalo’s opener with a quick wrist shot past a screened Ukko‑Pekka Luukkonen on a five‑on‑three power play, tying the game at 14:28 of the first period. Later in the second, he drew three Sabres skaters before slipping a no‑look backhand pass to Josh Anderson, who buried the puck with just 50 seconds left in the frame. Anderson admitted he had a “free shot” and simply needed to put it on net. Hutson finished the night with a goal, an assist and a team‑best 27:07 of ice time, showcasing the relentless work ethic that has earned him the nickname “rink rat” among teammates.
Defensive Adjustments and Guhle’s Impact
With Matheson sidelined by a lower‑body injury, Montreal leaned heavily on Hutson and called upon Kaiden Guhle to fill the void. Guhle, returning from an off‑season adductor injury, logged 25:25 in his second game of the season and delivered the hard‑hitting, defensive reliability the Canadiens crave. Josh Anderson praised Guhle as a “big presence” who “loves to take the body” and kills plays quickly in the defensive zone. Coach Martin St. Louis noted that when Guhle is on the ice he “can eat up a lot of minutes” and brings consistency to the blue line.
Special Teams, Shootout and Late‑Game Drama
Montreal outshot Buffalo 38‑17, but the Sabres struck twice in just 61 seconds early in the third period, with point‑shot goals from Josh Norris and Olen Zellweger that deflected off Canadiens players, including Adam Engstrom twice. St. Louis acknowledged the lapse, saying the team would look to block high shots and improve low‑zone boxing out. The game headed to a shootout after regulation ended 3‑3, where Montreal’s shooters prevailed to secure the extra point. Hutson reflected that the team must keep pushing and not allow opponents to gain momentum, especially after a casual third‑period effort.
Why it Matters
Hutson’s performance underscores the Canadiens’ growing reliance on their young, skilled defencemen to generate offence while shouldering heavy minutes. Guhle’s steady return adds a much‑needed physical dimension to a blue line built around puck movers, giving Montreal balance as it navigates a congested schedule. The win, coming against a playoff rival from the previous season, not only boosts Montreal’s standing in the Atlantic Division but also sends a signal that the team can adapt and thrive even when key veterans are unavailable. As the Canadiens aim for a deep postseason run, contributions from players like Hutson and Guhle will be pivotal in maintaining competitiveness on both ends of the ice.
