Nick Suzuki's late-game heroics led the Montreal Canadiens to a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers, solidifying their position in the playoff race. Suzuki scored the equalizer with just 8.4 seconds left in regulation and netted the overtime winner 29 seconds into the extra period. This win marked another comeback for a Canadiens team that has become adept at rallying from behind, claiming points in ten games after trailing two periods since December 31.

With the win, the Canadiens maintained their hold on the Eastern Conference's second wild card spot, keeping their hopes alive as they face a tight playoff race against teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers. Head Coach Martin St. Louis praised the team's tenacity, emphasizing the importance of player presence and effort. Rookie defenseman Lane Hutson also made headlines with his impressive performance, contributing three assists and passing Chris Chelios for the second-most assists by a rookie defenseman in NHL history.

Nick Suzuki showcased his brilliance by scoring two goals, including the overtime winner, leading the Montreal Canadiens to a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory against the Florida Panthers. Suzuki's equalizer with just 8.4 seconds left in regulation electrified the Bell Centre, while Josh Anderson also found the net for the Canadiens. Lane Hutson was a standout with three assists, setting a rookie defenseman record.

The Canadiens' win marked a clean sweep against the Panthers this season, winning all four meetings. Sam Montembeault turned aside 25 shots, keeping his team's playoff hopes alive in the Eastern Conference. The Panthers, despite their strong season, fell short in this matchup, struggling without Nico Sturm, who left the game early due to injury. Both teams are vying for playoff positioning with the Canadiens clinging to the final wild card spot and the Panthers chasing the division lead.

Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights, John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues have been named the NHL's three stars of the month for March.

Eichel dominated with 23 points over 14 games, including eight goals, leading the Golden Knights to a strong 10-2-2 performance. Tavares also excelled, netting a league-high 13 goals and contributing seven assists, propelling the Maple Leafs to an 8-5-2 record in March. Binnington played a key role in the Blues' success, winning eight of nine starts and helping the team secure a place in the playoff hunt with a 12-2-1 record.

Additionally, Lane Hutson of the Montreal Canadiens was recognized as the top rookie for March, leading all first-year players with 15 points, including one goal and 14 assists, further supporting the Canadiens' playoff aspirations.

Lane Hutson has emerged as a standout defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens and is currently generating buzz in the Calder Trophy race for the NHL's top rookie. His performance has placed him alongside notable talents such as Macklin Celebrini and Matvei Michkov. Hutson's future with the Canadiens is a hot topic, especially as he approaches the final year of his entry-level contract, which has an AAV of $950,000. The team is expected to negotiate a long-term extension for him, similar to contracts signed by young stars like Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki.

Hutson is eligible to sign an extension starting July 1st. Comparisons to players like Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber suggest he could command a significant salary, potentially landing somewhere in the $7 to $9 million range, with insights indicating he might settle around $8 million annually. The Canadiens are in a strong position with their young core, and Hutson's impressive performances could lead to a lucrative deal that reflects his contributions.