Cole Caufield is having one of the greatest goal-scoring seasons in Montreal Canadiens’ history.
The 25-year-old winger has netted 49 goals and 36 assists over 76 games with five games remaining in 2025-26 season.
It’s been 36 years since the Canadiens last had a player who scored 50 goals in a single season as Quebec native Stephane Richer potted 51 during the 1989-90 campaign.
Overall, the Canadiens have had 12 players who’ve scored 50 goals in a season, led by the legendary Guy Lafleur, who accomplished the feat on six occasions.
The great Maurice Richard was the first Hab to reach the half-century mark in a single season, scoring 50 goals in just 50 games during the 1944-45 season.
PlayerYearGoals (Games)Stephane Richer1989-9051 (75)Stephane Richer1987-8850 (72)Guy Lafleur1979-8050 (74)Pierre Larouche1979-8050 (73)Guy Lafleur1978-7952 (80)Guy Lafleur1977-7860 (78)Guy Lafleur1976-7756 (80)Steve Shutt1976-7760 (80)Guy Lafleur1975-7656 (80)Guy Lafleur1974-7553 (70)Bernie Geoffrion1960-6150 (64)Maurice Richard1944-4550 (50)
Caufield has earned the nickname Mr. Saturday Night this season, producing 21 goals over 22 games on the weekend night. He’s had two hat tricks and four two-goals games on Saturdays as well.
“He’s on a tremendous heater right now,” Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki said recently. “He’s just playing the right way, doing the right things and he’s getting rewarded for it.”
Caufield is two goals behind Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon, who has 51 to lead the NHL. The Avs are in St. Louis to battle the Blues on Tuesday, their sixth last game of the season.
Lafleur was the most recent player in Canadiens’ history to lead the NHL in scoring in 1977-78. A member of the Canadiens has never won the coveted Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, which was established in 1998-99 and is awarded annually to the league’s leading goal scorer.
Despite being on the verge of history, Caufield isn’t thinking about reaching 50 and being part of Habs’ history.
“We’re focused on our team game and winning games, and I think individual stuff comes with that,” Caufield said. “Doing the right things, you get more chances and opportunities. Obviously, it helps when you’re winning games and stuff.”
The 45-22-10 Canadiens have already clinched a playoff spot for the second straight year as they sit third in the Atlantic Division with 100 points.
Following Tuesday’s game against the Panthers, the Habs will host the Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets before playing the New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers on the road to close the season.
The Canadiens were eliminated by the Washington Capitals in five games in the opening round of last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs in what was their first postseason appearance since 2020-21.
Caufield’s previous career-high for a season was last year when he produced 37 goals across 82 games.
A native of Stevens Points, Wis., Caufield has tallied 167 goals over 363 games across his six seasons in the NHL. The Habs selected Caufield with the 15th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. He is currently in the third season of an eight-year, $62.8 million contract, featuring an average annual value of $7.85 million.