Over the last few games, Lane Hutson has not been playing up to his usual standard. It seems he is often trying to do too much, given the team’s offence has dried up. Normally, Hutson is the guy who starts up the offence, but he is usually his pinches better than he has recently. According to Pierre McGuire, the issue is that the Canadiens’ players have lost their identities over the past few games since they started to struggle. Therefore, McGuire believes it’s less of a Hutson issue and more of an issue with the team that has led to all the turnovers that the 2nd year defenseman has been making as of late. However, there may be something else that has gotten to Hutson that is leading him to make these mistakes.
We’re not seeing the Lane Hutson that we all know and love right now…
Pierre McGuire: “Identity is a big problem right now… You got a problem here”#GoHabsGo #thesickpodcast @TonyMarinaro pic.twitter.com/TBC45MN2qb
— The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) November 14, 2025
Over the last few games, it is well known that players on the bubble of making their National teams for the Olympics have been trying to do a little too much at times to try to stand out for those scouting them for their National Team. This easily could also play a factor in why Hutson has been playing like he needs to do everything, which has caused him to make mistakes, he otherwise wouldn’t make. It is well-known that Hutson wasn’t invited to the US Hockey Olympic Orientation Camp in the summer, but they later made it clear that he was one of the few players that they were looking at that weren’t at the Camp in the summer. With that being said, it really could be a mix of both team identity, but also
Hutson has a -7 plus/minus rating in his last 2 games; many of these goals against come from him trying to play hero puck, such as the breakaway goal that Tyler Seguin scored against the Habs on Thursday night. Hutson was deep into the Stars’ zone trying to create offense, but as a result of a missed shot and nobody covering for him properly, it led to Seguin sneaking away past everyone for a breakaway. Had Hutson not left his point in the offensive zone, it very likely that type of play wouldn’t have been generated, and there wouldn’t have been a breakaway to begin with.
Seguin makes it 3-0 Stars after a terrible line change attempt.
You can’t cover for a pinching defenceman while also making a line change. pic.twitter.com/pNsxnY7w2n
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 14, 2025
Although two other mistakes may have been even worse. At least Hutson was trying to create something by taking a shot. Nobody went back to watch out for Seguin speeding past everyone after Hutson moved up the zone a bit. On the Starr & D’Amico Show, they went over that, and it’s clear that other guys like Alexandre Carrier were caught flat-footed. Another issue is that Juraj Slafkovsky didn’t go for a change fast enough for Josh Anderson to get on the ice to get in Seguin’s way to prevent the breakaway. Hutson also tried to block a pass from Jason Robertson, but he wasn’t in the correct position to get in front of the puck, even though Seguin was at least 20 feet ahead of him at that point. Take a look at 12:15 into the Starr & D’Amico Show as they analyze the play.
Join @mndamico and @ShaunStarr78 at 12pm EST live on YouTube🚨https://t.co/cjWJtLn9ac
— The Starr & D’Amico Show (@StarrandDamico) November 14, 2025
On that goal, it isn’t all Hutson’s fault, but it is clear he played a big role in how the breakaway occurred. It’s clear nothing has been going well for the Canadiens, and something has to give. When players like Hutson struggle as badly as he has, it’s very evident that things won’t go well for the team as a whole.
A very specific issue that has plagued the Canadiens lately is failing to hit the net on their chances. This has been a problem all season, but earlier, at least, the shots hitting the net were going in. Now that’s no longer the case, and the Habs need to figure out how to just get their shots on goal. That goal that Seguin got could have also been prevented if Hutson had just managed not to shoot the puck wide. It may be easier said than done, but they just need to find a way to get the puck on net.
You want to make sure the bar is long enough? https://t.co/R7qK22CAHo pic.twitter.com/gD3Hn5iu7t
— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) November 14, 2025
Right now, just like the rest of the team, Hutson needs to just keep it simple and not try to be too flashy until he, along with the team, gets their confidence back. He and others on the fringe of making their National Team need to put the thoughts of impressing them aside. Instead of trying to impress, just do the simple stuff right and prove that they can get themselves out of this little slump before it becomes a big problem. The journey to rebounding will start on Saturday against their divisional rivals, the Boston Bruins.
