Hutson Is Chasing History

Montreal Canadiens rookie defenseman Lane Hutson is currently leading the scoring race amongst rookies. He has 36 points in 44 games, four points ahead Philadelphia Flyers' Matvei Michkov and San Jose Sharks' Macklin Celebrini and 13 points ahead of Dallas Stars' Logan Stankoven. So far, he's in excellent position to grab the Calder Trophy at the end of the season.

Even if the votes don't go his way though, he's on the verge of accomplishing something outstanding in Montreal. As things stand, he's on pace to record 67 points this season. However, one has to remember that Hutson started the year lower down the line-up and on the second power play unit.

Now that he's on the top power play unit, the Lane train is moving full speed ahead and is just about the only train that's never late in town. Logic dictates he'll be getting more points in the second half of the season now that he's spending more quality time on the ice and he's partnered with another offensive rearguard in Mike Matheson.

Related: Lane Hutson Gets Brotherly Praise

In the first quarter of the season, he picked up 12 points (0-12) only four of which came on the power play. In the second quarter, he added 20 points (3-17), 10 of which came on the power play. We've just entered the third quarter and he has four points in just two games.

If he keeps up the increase in production, he could put up above 70 points and beat the team's rookie point record which stands at 71. The feat has been achieved twice, initially by Mats Naslund (37th overall selection at the 1979 draft) in 1982-83 and then again by Kjell Dhalin (82nd overall at the 1981 draft) in 1985-86.

If the kid stays healthy, there's no reason why the team record couldn't be within reach for him. After all, he's already set one franchise record, for most consecutive games by a rookie blueliner with seven. Mind you, he may just be on the verge of improving his own record already, he has points in his last six games.

Related: Canadiens: It's His Record Now

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