Canadiens' Caufield Chases 50-Goal Milestone

Young star on pace to become first Habs player in decades to reach the mark

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:10pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey player in the act of scoring a goal, with the player's form broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of red, blue, and white, conceptually representing the dynamic and multifaceted nature of Caufield's play.Caufield's pursuit of 50 goals reflects the Canadiens' rise as an emerging NHL contender, with the young star's individual brilliance fueling the team's high-octane attack.NYC Today

Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield is on a torrid scoring pace, with 49 goals already this season. The 25-year-old is chasing the franchise's first 50-goal scorer in over 30 years, a milestone that would cement his status as one of the league's elite young talents.

Why it matters

Caufield's pursuit of 50 goals comes as the Canadiens have emerged as a surprise contender, raising hopes of ending Canada's Stanley Cup drought dating back to 1993. His individual accomplishment would also be a significant moment for the storied franchise, which has not had a 50-goal scorer since Stephane Richer in 1990.

The details

Caufield has been on a tear since the Olympic break, scoring 17 goals in 17 games, the most of any NHL player over that stretch. His 83 points on the season are already 13 more than his previous career high. After being sent down to the minors early last season to round out his game, the 5-foot-8, 175-pound winger has emerged as a complete two-way player to complement his elite scoring ability.

  • Caufield scored his 48th and 49th goals of the season on April 3, 2026.
  • The last time the Canadiens had a 50-goal scorer was Stephane Richer in 1990.

The players

Cole Caufield

A 25-year-old forward for the Montreal Canadiens who is on pace to become the franchise's first 50-goal scorer in over 30 years.

Nathan MacKinnon

The Colorado Avalanche center who currently leads the NHL in goals scored and is being chased by Caufield for the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy.

Stephane Richer

The last Canadiens player to score 50 goals in a season, accomplishing the feat in 1990.

Nick Suzuki

The Canadiens' captain and leading scorer, who has praised Caufield's development into a complete two-way player.

Alex Newhook

A Canadiens teammate who has expressed excitement over Caufield's pursuit of the 50-goal milestone.

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What they’re saying

“We're focused on our team game and winning games, and I think individual stuff comes with that. Doing the right things, you get more chances and opportunities. Obviously, it helps when you're winning games and stuff.”

— Cole Caufield, Canadiens Forward

“It's been fun to watch. It seems like he keeps scoring every night. We're happy for him. We're pushing for him. Hopefully he keeps this thing rolling.”

— Alex Newhook, Canadiens Teammate

“He's on a tremendous heater right now. He's just playing the right way, doing the right things and he's getting rewarded for it.”

— Nick Suzuki, Canadiens Captain

“He thinks the game at a real high level. It's the combination that gives him the competitive advantage that he has. He's a really good player.”

— Mike Sullivan, Rangers Head Coach

“You have a goal-scorer like this, you can always pass to him and there is a big chance it's going in. That's what we're trying to do. I hope he can get (to 50) as soon as possible and get a lot more.”

— Juraj Slafkovsky, Canadiens Teammate

What’s next

If Caufield reaches 50 goals, he would become just the seventh player in Canadiens history to accomplish the feat, joining an exclusive club that includes some of the franchise's all-time greats. He would also be in line to win the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy as the NHL's leading goal scorer.

The takeaway

Caufield's pursuit of 50 goals is a testament to his remarkable development into an elite two-way forward, and a symbol of the Canadiens' resurgence as a contender. His individual accomplishment would be a significant milestone for both the player and the storied franchise, as they aim to end Canada's long Stanley Cup drought.