Canadiens Edge Lightning in Thriller as Caufield Hits 50-Goal Milestone

The Montreal Canadiens secured a narrow 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Bell Centre. The win was highlighted by a historic individual achievement for Cole Caufield and a late-game heroic effort from Juraj Slafkovsky, allowing Montreal to leapfrog Tampa Bay for second place in the Atlantic Division.

Caufield Makes History with 50th Goal

The spotlight of the evening belonged to Cole Caufield, who scored his 50th goal of the season at 6:30 of the second period. Following a pass from Nick Suzuki, Caufield beat Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy with a wrist shot from the circle to give Montreal a 1-0 lead.

Caufield’s achievement is a rare feat in franchise history. He is only the seventh player in Montreal Canadiens history to reach the 50-goal mark in a single season, and the first to do so since Stephane Richer scored 51 goals during the 1989-90 campaign. The milestone came after a brief three-game goal drought that Caufield admitted had him feeling “stressed out.”

Slafkovsky Seals the Win

Even as Caufield provided the milestone, Juraj Slafkovsky provided the deciding blow. With only 1:04 remaining in the third period, Slafkovsky scored his 30th goal of the season to break the tie and secure the 2-1 win for the Canadiens.

Defensively, Jakub Dobes played a pivotal role in the victory, making 17 saves to hold off the Lightning. Nick Suzuki added to his offensive contributions by recording two assists in the game.

Lightning Struggle on Road Trip

For the Tampa Bay Lightning, the loss marks a challenging stretch. The team has now lost the first three games of a four-game road trip. Despite the loss, defenseman Darren Raddysh managed to score a tying goal late in the third period, and Andrei Vasilevskiy contributed 19 saves in the effort.

Key Takeaways from the Matchup

• Standings Shift: Montreal now moves ahead of Tampa Bay for 2nd place in the Atlantic Division.
• Montreal’s Momentum: The Canadiens have won two straight games and 10 of their last 11.
• Historic Milestone: Cole Caufield is the first Canadiens player in 36 years to score 50 goals in a season.
• Player Milestones: Juraj Slafkovsky reached the 30-goal mark for the season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the last Montreal player to score 50 goals?

Before Cole Caufield, Stephane Richer was the last player to achieve this feat, scoring 51 goals in the 1989-90 season.

What is the current record for the Montreal Canadiens?

The Canadiens currently hold a record of 47-22-10.

How is the Tampa Bay Lightning performing on their current road trip?

The Lightning have lost the first three games of their current four-game road trip.