 Lawson made his NHL debut with the Islanders on December 18, 2010 in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Phoenix Coyotes, and played a total of ten games for the Islanders in the 2010–11 season.On July 5, 2011, Lawson signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Montreal Canadiens.He spent the season with the Hamilton Bulldogs, playing 57 games and recording five shutouts.