SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Welcome to The Week in NUMBERS. Each week, I highlight key statistics that have defined training successes and failures over the past seven days.
This week: Laine leads the NHL, Hutson leads the NHL, and the new kid makes his mark
8
Goals from the left circle for Patrik Laine
Patrik Laine may have only played 9 games this season, but the sniper is already alone in first place in goals from the left faceoff circle.
Patrik Laine graphic
The list isn't limited to power play goals, either. With each of his eight goals, and 16 of his 20 one-timers (a total that ranks 3rd in the NHL since his return), coming from the same place, opposing defenses know exactly what's coming with Wool, but it's obviously not enough to stop him.
The former 2nd pick in the 2016 auction has surpassed all the most optimistic expectations to begin his career in Bleu-Blanc-Rouge. The 5-on-5 game still needs work, but that's not surprising after missing the majority of last season and the start of the year after an injury in a preseason game. For now, Laine seems to like Montreal and the fans already adore him, with good reason.
It's still hard to believe that we got paid to acquire his services…
7
Power play assists for Lane Hutson since December 3
Along with Laine's explosion, Lane Hutson continues to establish himself as a premier power play quarterback. Since Laine's debut, Hutson has 7 assists on the offensive end, good for first in the NHL since December 3. He's ahead of top NHL players like Nikita Kucherov (6), Nathan MacKinnon (5), Leon Draisaitl (5), and Connor McDavid (5) despite being 38th in playing time on offense at five during this period. Those assists are far from just a fluke, too, as Hutson ranks near the top in a host of key categories.
The Canadiens' first unit, since Hutson and Laine joined, is one of the most exciting we've seen in a Habs uniform in a long time. The puck moves freely, the shots are numerous and dangerous, and the results follow. The 62nd pick in the 2022 draft (it's still amazing to think he fell that far) isn't just one of the best rookies of the year. He continues to prove that he is already one of the best offensive defensemen in the NHL and should only become more dangerous as he gains experience. If he plays like that in his 35th game, imagine what it will be like in his 100th or 200th game.
12
Passes blocked by Alexandre Carrier
Alexandre Carrier had very little time to prepare to make his debut with the Canadian. On the injured list in Nashville, he was activated upon his arrival with the CH and was immediately placed in the top 4 alongside Kaiden Guhle and played two matches in two evenings. The duo also faced the toughest competition of Martin St-Louis' three defensive pairs during these two meetings.
Carrier answered the call brilliantly, as his duo obtained 67.5% of expected goals in their favor when they were on the ice, the best ratio of the three pairs of defenders. His 12 blocked passes lead the CH over the last two games and he has committed only two turnovers in the defensive zone, the best mark among the club's defenders.
In short, he could hardly have made a better first impression in Montreal. Carrier brings the stability and consistency that Barron was unable to bring to the right and the volume of playing time which should no longer fall on the shoulders of David Savard at 34 years old.
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