Cole Caufield Makes History: First Montreal Canadiens Player to Score 50 Goals in 36 Years
Cole Caufield has officially etched his name into the storied history of the Montreal Canadiens. In a high-stakes matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the 25-year-old winger reached the 50-goal milestone, becoming the first player to wear the Bleu, Blanc, et Rouge to hit the half-century mark in a single season since 1990.
The moment arrived at 6:29 of the second period when Caufield beat Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy with a precise wrist shot. The goal, assisted by linemates Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky, gave the Canadiens a 1-0 lead and sent the Bell Centre crowd into a frenzy. The achievement is a testament to Caufield’s elite finishing ability and his capacity to perform under immense pressure, following a brief scoreless stretch in the games leading up to this milestone.
A Rare Feat in Canadiens History
Scoring 50 goals in a season is a benchmark of elite status in the NHL, and for the Montreal Canadiens, it has become an incredibly rare occurrence. Caufield is only the seventh player in the franchise’s 116-year history to accomplish this feat. He joins an exclusive list of legendary snipers:
- Maurice Richard
- Bernie Geoffrion
- Steve Shutt
- Pierre Larouche
- Guy Lafleur
- Stéphane Richer
Before Caufield, Stéphane Richer was the last Canadiens player to reach the mark, doing so on March 24, 1990, against the Hartford Whalers. The 36-year gap underscores the magnitude of Caufield’s achievement in the modern era of the game.
The Rise of a Pure Sniper
Caufield’s journey to the NHL was marked by a consistent ability to find the back of the net. Selected 15th overall by the Canadiens in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, the American-born winger spent time honing his craft with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
During the 2020–21 NCAA season, Caufield dominated the collegiate level, leading the league in both goals and points and winning the prestigious Hobey Baker Award. Despite his diminutive size—listed at 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds—Caufield has used his agility and a quick release to overcome physical disadvantages and become one of the most feared shooters in the league.
League-Wide Implications
Caufield’s 50th goal does more than just secure his place in Montreal’s history; it puts him in the conversation for the league’s top goal-scorer. Following the milestone, Caufield moved to within one goal of Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon for the league lead.
- The Milestone: 50 goals in a single season.
- The Opponent: Tampa Bay Lightning (Goalie: Andrei Vasilevskiy).
- Historical Significance: First Canadiens player to hit 50 goals since Stéphane Richer in 1990.
- Elite Company: One of only seven players in the 116-year history of the Montreal Canadiens to reach the mark.
- Current Standing: Now trailing Nathan MacKinnon by just one goal for the NHL league lead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the last Montreal Canadiens player to score 50 goals before Cole Caufield?
Stéphane Richer was the last player to achieve this, recording his 50th goal of the season on March 24, 1990.
How many players in Montreal Canadiens history have scored 50 goals in a season?
Cole Caufield is the seventh player in franchise history to reach this milestone, joining Maurice Richard, Bernie Geoffrion, Steve Shutt, Pierre Larouche, Guy Lafleur, and Stéphane Richer.
What is Cole Caufield’s background before joining the NHL?
Caufield played for the University of Wisconsin-Madison and won the Hobey Baker Award as the top NCAA player during the 2020–21 season.
As the season progresses, all eyes remain on Caufield to see if he can surpass Nathan MacKinnon to lead the NHL in goals, further cementing his status as the premier sniper of his generation.