Caufield Chasing 50-Goal Mark, Richard Trophy for Canadiens

Forward can become 1st Montreal player to hit milestone since 1990

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:00am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting depicting a hockey player scoring a goal, with the player's body and the puck broken down into overlapping geometric shapes in bright blue, red, and yellow colors.Caufield's pursuit of 50 goals and the Rocket Richard Trophy has Montreal hockey fans buzzing with excitement.Boston Today

Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield is on the verge of becoming the first player on the team to score 50 goals in a season since 1990. Caufield, who has 46 goals with 9 games left, is also in a tight race for the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy, awarded to the NHL's leading goal-scorer.

Why it matters

Caufield's potential 50-goal season would be a significant milestone for the Canadiens, a team that has not had a 50-goal scorer since the late 1980s. The Rocket Richard Trophy has never been won by a Canadiens player, making Caufield's chase even more historic for the storied franchise.

The details

With 9 goals in his last 9 games, Caufield has 46 goals on the season and is just 4 shy of the 50-goal mark. He has played in all but one of Montreal's 73 games so far. Caufield is currently second in the NHL goal-scoring race, trailing only Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche. Six Canadiens players have scored 50 or more goals in a season a total of 12 times, with the last being Stephane Richer in 1989-90.

  • Caufield has 9 goals in his past 9 games.
  • Caufield has 46 goals with 9 games remaining on the Canadiens schedule.
  • The Canadiens play their next game at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET).
  • Maurice 'Rocket' Richard scored his historic 50th goal of the 1944-45 season on March 18, 1945.
  • Bernie Geoffrion scored his 50th goal of the 1960-61 season on March 16, 1961.

The players

Cole Caufield

A forward for the Montreal Canadiens who is chasing the 50-goal mark and the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy.

Nathan MacKinnon

A center for the Colorado Avalanche who currently leads the NHL in goals with 48.

Maurice 'Rocket' Richard

A legendary Montreal Canadiens player who was the first in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season, accomplishing the feat in 1944-45.

Bernie 'Boom Boom' Geoffrion

A former Montreal Canadiens player who scored 50 goals in the 1960-61 season, 16 years after Richard's historic 50-goal campaign.

Guy Lafleur

A Hall of Fame Montreal Canadiens player who scored 50 or more goals in six consecutive seasons from 1974-75 to 1979-80.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Well, what's after 40? 50?”

— Marc Denis, RDS analyst

“41.”

— Cole Caufield

“The Rocket told me he was glad. He said, 'I told you before that if somebody had to equal my record, I would want it to be one of my old teammates.' I remember now I didn't pay much attention to him at the time. Fifty goals looks like a lot and I never thought I'd make it.”

— Bernie Geoffrion

“Next year it's going to be worse. Next year, they'll expect 60.”

— Guy Lafleur

“It's like something that's been hanging around my neck the last few weeks has been taken away.”

— Pierre Larouche

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.