Cole Caufield didn’t let the chance to make history slip by. With his 40th goal of the season, the Montreal Canadiens winger became the first player in the franchise to reach that mark since Vincent Damphousse did it in 1993-94, back when the team still played at the Forum. In a city where hockey dominates conversations, the long goal-scoring drought had been impossible to ignore.
Caufield delivered the milestone in dramatic fashion, netting the overtime winner against the Boston Bruins with just 22 seconds left. Moments after Jakub Dobes stopped Pavel Zacha on a breakaway, Caufield finished a perfect pass from captain Nick Suzuki, securing a 3-2 victory for Montreal.
“It felt right to get it done that way,” Caufield said, acknowledging the chemistry he shares with Suzuki. The captain praised his linemate, adding that reaching 40 goals is only the beginning. Fans at the Bell Centre erupted as Caufield, introduced as the first star, tapped his chest in disbelief, expressing his excitement with an expletive.
“It’s hard to describe the feeling when the crowd is behind you,” he said. Caufield also highlighted the pressure and energy of playing in Montreal, comparing it to the difference between home and road games.
Caufield’s growth on and off the puck
The 25-year-old American has 40 goals and 28 assists in 66 games, keeping him on pace for nearly 50 goals this season. Beyond scoring, coach Martin St. Louis emphasized Caufield’s development away from the puck. “In the NHL, the game is played without the puck,” St. Louis said. He noted that Caufield’s improved off-puck game allows the team to maintain possession more often, which creates additional scoring opportunities.
Both St. Louis and the five-foot-eight forward, who was initially seen as undersized, have worked to expand his game since the former league MVP became coach in 2022. Caufield credited St. Louis for his mentorship and the improvement in his 200-foot game, saying it has helped him generate more chances.
Caufield’s goal also added two crucial points in the tight Atlantic Division race, with the Canadiens now sitting third, two points ahead of Boston and three up on the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are just outside the playoff picture.
Gallagher’s 900-game milestone
Tuesday’s game also marked a personal achievement for veteran winger Brendan Gallagher, who played his 900th NHL game—all for Montreal. Known for his gritty, hard-nosed style, the 33-year-old Edmonton native became just the 13th player in franchise history to reach the milestone with the Canadiens.
Gallagher, who had been a healthy scratch for the first time since his debut in 2013, reflected on the significance of the achievement. “It’s special to play in front of these fans for so long,” he said. Montreal honored him with a tribute on the big screen after the first commercial break, pausing the game to recognize his career.
St. Louis praised Gallagher’s contributions both on and off the ice, calling him a galvanizing presence whose effort and toughness set an example. Looking ahead, Gallagher said he aims to reach 1,000 games, seeing it as a realistic goal after achieving 900.