The silent revolution orchestrated by Lane Hutson on the Canadian’s power play reached its peak last night.
With the absence of Mike Matheson in the lineup, Martin St-Louis had no choice but to place Hutson on the first unit of the Power Play, an adjustment that the entire city had been asking for for weeks.
But no one expected Hutson to monopolize the ice in such a dominant manner.
Not only did Hutson lead the first wave with ease, but he also spent the entire two minutes of the power play on the ice, piloting both the first and second waves.
This privilege, worthy of the biggest stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, is a clear declaration: Hutson is no longer just an option, he has become indispensable.
Even Martin St-Louis, usually measured in his comments, seemed impressed by the performance of his young defender.
“Lane has a unique ability to see the play, react quickly and execute under pressure. He has rare maturity for a player of his age”he confided after the meeting.
These words, although laudatory, say a lot about the new dynamic that is taking place in the locker room.
The problem? Mike Matheson.
The veteran, although considered the defensive pillar of the team for two seasons, could find himself relegated to the second wave of power play upon his return to play.
This possibility raises a tricky question: Can Martin St-Louis actually justify moving Hutson from the first unit after such a performance?
St-Louis has already hinted at its intentions by emphasizing the importance of earning your ice time:
“In this league, nothing is given, everything is earned. If you perform, you play. » A statement that might well apply to Matheson, despite his veteran status.
What’s most striking is that Lane Hutson is now the only player on the team to benefit from this preferential treatment on the power play.
Neither Nick Suzuki, the captain, nor Cole Caufield, although on fire since the start of the season, spent two full minutes on the ice during a Power Play.
This strategic choice by St-Louis, which is difficult to ignore, places Hutson at the top of the CH offensive hierarchy, at least with regard to the numerical advantage.
So what will happen when Matheson returns?
The second wave seems to be his only realistic option, but it could cause some tension. Because, let’s be honest, moving Hutson from the first wave after such a demonstration would not only be inconsistent, but probably poorly received by the fans and the locker room.
St-Louis seems to be aware of the repercussions of its decisions.
When asked about his player management, he said:
“My role is to give everyone the best chance to succeed, but also to keep the team in a winning position. »
A philosophy that has guided his choices until now, but which could be put to the test in this scenario.
One thing is certain: Lane Hutson has redefined expectations.
And now, it all depends on Martin St-Louis to navigate this delicate situation, where the balance between earning his place and respecting veterans could well create unease in the days to come.
To be continued…
