MONTREAL — Cole Caufield is on the verge of history, chasing a significant milestone as the Montreal Canadiens produce a late-season push for a playoff berth. The 25-year-old forward is nearing 50 goals, a feat not accomplished by a Canadiens player in over three decades, and is in contention for the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy.
Caufield has 47 goals through 73 games, having found the back of the net in 10 of his last 10 appearances. He missed one game on March 11 against the Ottawa Senators due to illness, but has otherwise been a consistent presence in the Canadiens lineup. The Canadiens are currently riding a five-game winning streak, dramatically improving their playoff chances.
He currently trails Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche by three goals in the race for the Richard Trophy, with MacKinnon at 50. MacKinnon recently reached the 50-goal mark against the Vancouver Canucks, extending his lead in the scoring race. However, Caufield remains within striking distance with eight games left on the schedule.
No Canadiens player has won the Rocket Richard Trophy since it was first awarded in 1999, and no member of the team has scored 50 goals in a season since 1990. Caufield’s pursuit of both achievements has energized the city of Montreal, a hockey-obsessed market.
Caufield is currently second in the NHL goal-scoring race, and has recorded 81 points in 73 games this season. He has maintained a relaxed poise throughout his impressive campaign. MacKinnon, meanwhile, has 121 points in 73 games.
The Canadiens face the New York Rangers on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET (MSG, TSN2, RDS), where Caufield will glance to continue his impressive run and close the gap on MacKinnon.
