Cole Caufield Achieves Historic 50-Goal Season for the Montreal Canadiens
MONTREAL – Cole Caufield etched his name into Montreal Canadiens lore on Thursday, becoming the first player in 36 years to score 50 goals in a single season. This remarkable feat makes him only the seventh player in Canadiens history to reach this milestone, surpassing even the accomplishments of Stéphane Richer, who scored 51 goals in the 1989-90 season.
The historic goal came at 6:30 of the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning, giving the Canadiens a 1-0 lead. A beautiful setup from captain Nick Suzuki found Caufield on the right wing, and his quick wrist shot sailed past Andrei Vasilevskiy, igniting the Bell Centre crowd.
Overcoming the Pressure
Caufield had faced a recent three-game goal drought, and the pressure to reach the 50-goal mark was mounting. However, he persevered, demonstrating the resilience and determination that have defined his breakout season. This 50th goal marked the 168th of his career, achieved in his 365th game – a significant milestone reached just shy of five years after his first NHL goal on May 2, 2021.
A Transformed Player
The Caufield of today is a vastly different player than the one who debuted during the COVID-19 restrictions. “I think I’m just a better overall player,” Caufield stated after a recent game. “There’s a lot more to the game, and I think linemates and teammates and coaches help you with that. It’s just kind of figuring it out. I think there’s still a lot more room to grow in my game.” He attributes his growth to a relentless pursuit of improvement and the supportive environment fostered by his team and coaching staff.
The Impact of Martin St. Louis
A pivotal moment in Caufield’s development came with the arrival of Martin St. Louis as head coach on February 9, 2022. Before St. Louis, Caufield had a goal and eight points in 30 games. Under St. Louis’ guidance, he exploded, scoring 22 goals and 35 points in the following 38 games. Caufield, who looked up to St. Louis as a fellow undersized forward, credits his coach with helping him become a more complete hockey player.
St. Louis’ approach wasn’t about making Caufield a better goal scorer, but rather about improving his overall game, focusing on his play away from the puck. This, St. Louis believed, would organically lead to more goals – and it has. “I would say the last two weeks, Cole’s not just been a goal scorer,” St. Louis noted. “I know he’s scoring goals, but he’s playing the game.”
Evolution of a Scorer
Caufield’s scoring locations have also evolved. He’s no longer solely a perimeter shooter, now consistently battling for position in the high-danger areas of the ice. He’s scored seven goals this season from the inner slot, a significant increase compared to his previous three seasons combined. This transformation is a direct result of his dedication to improvement and the guidance of his coach.
The Rocket Richard Trophy Within Reach
With 50 goals already secured, Caufield now has his sights set on the Rocket Richard Trophy, currently neck and neck with Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon. “You’d be crazy not to know what’s going on around the league if you care,” Caufield admitted. “So, still hungry, and we still have a couple games to go.”
Source: The Athletic
