While the Ottawa Senators made the playoffs for the first time since 2017, one of their biggest rivals also ended a playoff drought. The Montreal Canadiens made the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
The Senators and Canadiens both making the 2025 playoffs are a sign that they can both be a force for years to come. That also means there could be some potential battles in the playoffs between the two teams.
Both teams have talented players on their team led by their respected captains Brady Tkachuk and Nick Suzuki. However, there's one Canadien that will become a problem that the Senators will have to deal with for years to come, and is already on an impressive path to success.
Hudson won 2025 Rookie of the Year, had success against Sens in 2024-25
Yesterday, the NHL announced the winner of the 2025 Calder Trophy, awarded to the best rookie in the NHL. The 2025 Calder winner was defenseman Lane Hutson of the Canadiens.
Lane Hutson remporte le trophée Calder 2025 à titre de recrue de l’année dans la LNH! 🏆
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 10, 2025
Lane Hutson wins the 2025 Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/ezBwoovXpr
Hutson was incredible for the Canadiens with recording 66 points in the 2024-25 season as a rookie. Hutson was a big part of the Canadiens' success with making the playoffs. With being 21 years old and a dynamic player, Hutson can become a problem for years to come, and the Senators have Hutson in their own division and will have to compete against him year after year.
In four games against the Senators this season, Hutson recorded four points. In the meeting on Oct. 12, 2024, recorded the second two-assist game of his career. The two-assist game was also Hutson's second consecutive two-assist game in a three-game span.
In the meeting on March 18, 2025, Hutson scored a game tying goal in the third period, which was one of Hutson's six goals in the 2024-25 season.
Hutson is already in an impressive Canadiens company by winning the Calder Trophy in 2025. Hutson became the first Canadien since hall of fame goaltender Ken Dryden to win the Calder since 1972.
Despite the Canadiens being eliminated in the first round of the 2025 playoffs by the Washington Capitals, Hutson led the Canadiens with five points in the playoffs.
It's clear that Hutson's career is off to a hot start with winning the Calder. Now, the Senators will have to deal with him for years with being on a rival team. The rivalry between the Senators and Canadiens in the 2025-26 season will heat up more due to Hutson.