The Montreal Canadiens played the biggest game of their season to date on Saturday night, visiting the Buffalo Sabres, who entered the game just ahead of the Habs in the standings. A win would not only move Montreal into third place, but close the gap between them and the teams at the very top of the division and conference. They opened the game with a strong first period, taking a one-goal lead with a power play goal, before a disastrous second period saw them enter the final frame trailing by one themselves.
But that was Mr. Saturday Night’s music, as Cole Caufield had yet another stellar performance to not only tie that game, but win it without needing to go to overtime.
Nick Suzuki finds Cole Caufield driving the net, and the #Habs are back on top 3-2. pic.twitter.com/94eBolyrCp
— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) February 1, 2026
This was the second of his two goals in the third period, an incredibly clutch performance in what was truly a crucial game to win. I had opined during the podcast that the result would come down to who really wanted it more, and the answer was Caufield. He looked like he wanted it more than anyone else on the ice, took over the game at the most important time, and though he wasn’t alone in recovering from that second period, he was the linchpin for Montreal. Good teams will find a way to pull a rabbit out of their hat like that in big moments, and he’s been the guy for them in those moments of late.
It is difficult not to wonder how much of this heater Caufield is on has to do with him being snubbed from Team USA. Perhaps if he were three inches taller this wouldn’t even be a conversation, but size didn’t help Jason Robertson make that roster either. All we really know with respect to Caufield is that the USA left the hottest goal scorer in the league at home for whatever reasons they have. As Nick Suzuki put it, such an omission is disappointing, but perhaps to the benefit of the rival Canadians in the end.
Alas, the Habs will take this heater regardless of the motivations behind it. In an extremely competitive Atlantic Division, they need all the help they can get, and Caufield’s impact right now is changing the complexion of games entirely. Even when they don’t play their best, or have a flat period of play, he’s a game changer as long as they keep it close enough to allow him the chance to be.
Especially on a Saturday night, no game is truly over until Cole Caufield has his say in the matter.
Click the play button below to listen to your full Bottom Six Minutes, also available wherever you get your podcasts. We’ll be back on Monday night for the penultimate game before the Olympic break, with the Habs visiting the Minnesota Wild.