James Guillory-Imagn Images

Canadiens’ Lane Hutson Assigns Blame for Loss to Maple Leafs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Oct 10, 2025 12:45 PM ET

The Montreal Canadiens responded to their season-opening loss with a commanding 5–1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, led by Mike Matheson’s two-point night and a sharp 30-save performance from Jakub Dobes.

It was a much-needed bounce back for a team that left Toronto frustrated a night earlier. Montreal outplayed the Toronto Maple Leafs for much of Wednesday's opener before a third-period goal by Morgan Rielly broke the tie and shifted momentum.

No one took that loss harder than Habs defenseman Lane Hutson. The 21-year-old defenseman, last season’s Calder Trophy winner as the NHL's Rookie of the Year, was on the ice for multiple Toronto goals and lost his stick moments before Rielly’s winner.

After the game, Hutson didn’t make excuses and took full blame for Rielly's game-winning goal.

He Rielly roofed that thang @OREO | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/5gUXdZusqD
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 9, 2025

“It’s on me,” Hutson said. “We had enough chances. (It) would’ve been nice to execute on a couple and maybe get some more shots down. I think the guys played good, and I definitely need to be better.”

Hutson’s self-criticism stood out after a game that many felt hinged on a bad bounce, but his accountability seemed to set the tone for Thursday’s response in Detroit.

Montreal started slow and was still trying to shake off the loss to the Leafs, allowing Detroit to take the lead just 3:50 into the game. The Habs' answer, however, could have been better.

Toronto Maple Leafs center Bobby McMann (74) shoots the puck as Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (48) tries to defend.Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

The Candiens regrouped and were much more organized, aggressive, and fast after that, building a 3–1 lead before the first intermission, adding two more goals throughout the first 40 minutes of play.

Zack Bolduc, Oliver Kapanen, Alexandre Carrier, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Matheson all scored as the Canadiens capitalized on Detroit’s defensive lapses, handing the Red Wings a season-opening loss.

Head coach Martin St. Louis praised the group’s focus and team play in the back-to-back outings by his players.

“I think we’ve been good in both games,” St. Louis said. “These guys have bought into the team game. There is a commitment to do the things the game asks you to do.”

With the win, Montreal improved to 1–1–0 and will face the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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