<p>Lane Hutson has himself a spot in the NHL’s record book.</p>



<p>Picking up his 60th assist in Wednesday’s regular-season finale against the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/carolina-hurricanes/line-combinations">Carolina Hurricanes</a>, the feat saw the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/montreal-canadiens/line-combinations">Montreal Canadiens</a> rookie rearguard match Larry Murphy’s 44-year-old record for the most assists by a first-year NHL defenseman.</p>



<p>As part of the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/los-angeles-kings/line-combinations">Los Angeles Kings</a> in 1980-81, Murphy posted 16 goals and 60 assists through 80 games, while Hutson wraps up his first season with the Canadians having collected six goals and 60 assists in 82 outings.</p>



<p>The accomplishment marks the second major milestone for Hutson in recent days who on Monday <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/lane-hutson-passes-chris-chelios-for-most-points-by-montreal-canadiens-rookie-defenseman">passed Chris Chelios for the most points by a Canadiens rookie defenseman</a>. As a Montreal freshman, Chelios closed out the 1984-85 campaign with nine goals and 55 assists for 64 points through 74 games.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="134"></div>



<p>In all, Hutson’s spectacular season sees him finish third all-time in points by a Canadiens rookie and just six shy of both Kjell Dahlin and Mats Naslund for top spot in franchise history.</p>



<p>Originally chosen 62nd overall by Montreal in the 2022 NHL Draft, Hutson joined the Canadiens late last season following a dominant sophomore campaign with the NCAA’s Boston University Terriers. The 21-year-old native of Holland, Mich., ultimately put up two points in as many games with the Canadiens last spring, an early preview of what was to come in the current campaign.</p>



<p>For the Canadiens, in defeating the Hurricanes on Wednesday, the club improved to 40-31-11 on the season to lock in the second wildcard seed in the Eastern Conference that and set up an opening round matchup in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/washington-capitals/line-combinations">Washington Capitals</a>. The Canadiens and Capitals went head-to-head three times this season, with Washington picking up a pair of victories.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="158"></div>



<p>This spring sees the Canadiens return to the postseason for the first time since 2021.</p>



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