{"id":179408,"date":"2025-09-03T17:23:19","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T17:23:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/179408\/"},"modified":"2025-09-03T17:23:19","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T17:23:19","slug":"35-years-and-counting-why-no-canadien-has-hit-50-goals-since-richer-the-hockey-writers-canadiens-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/179408\/","title":{"rendered":"35 Years and Counting: Why No Canadien Has Hit 50 Goals Since Richer – The Hockey Writers – Canadiens History"},"content":{"rendered":"

The last time a Montreal Canadiens<\/a> player scored 50 goals in a season was in 1989\u201390. St\u00e9phane Richer<\/a> lit the lamp 51 times that year, and since then, nothing. No one has come close enough to make us forget that thirty-five-year drought. <\/p>\n

Related: Ex-Canadiens the Habs Would Like Back Heading into 2025-26<\/a><\/p>\n

For a team as rich in history and goal-scoring legends as the Canadiens, that\u2019s\u2026 well, it\u2019s weird. So, what gives, and should Habs fans care?<\/p>\n

When Scoring 50 Goals Was Part of the Job<\/p>\n

There was a time when hitting 50 goals was part of the job if you were a top-line Hab. Maurice \u201cRocket\u201d Richard was the pioneer who put the milestone on the map. Then Guy Lafleur<\/a> came along, dazzling the league with six 50-goal seasons.<\/p>\n

When Richer scored 51 goals in 1989\u201390, it seemed like Montreal\u2019s scoring tradition was alive and well. But now? It\u2019s been radio silence for decades.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Behind the Canadiens\u2019 Goal-Scoring Silence?<\/p>\n

Fifty-goal scorers still pop up around the NHL. The Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers all have players who can hit that mark from time to time. But Montreal? Not a chance since Richer. Some talented players have come close. Max Pacioretty\u2019s best was 39 goals<\/a>. Vincent Damphousse, Pierre Turgeon, and Alex Kovalev had strong years, but none crossed that 50-goal line.<\/p>\n

Related: 2 Dark Horse Canadiens Who Can Have an Impact in 2025-26<\/a><\/p>\n

So, what\u2019s holding Montreal back? Part of it is probably the team\u2019s style. The Canadiens have often emphasized defence, discipline, and balanced scoring instead of letting offensive players run wild. Plus, it\u2019s about opportunity\u2014having the right linemates, power-play time, and team support.<\/p>\n

St\u00e9phane Richer\u2014The Quiet Sniper Who Did it Twice<\/p>\n

Richer was the real deal\u2014a big, fast winger with a wicked shot. He wasn\u2019t the kind of player who fired up the crowd with jaw-dropping celebrations or flashy plays. He was quiet, even a little reserved.<\/p>\n

\"Guy<\/p>\n

Years after retiring, Richer opened up about battling depression during his career. That kind of honesty was rare back then and makes you respect what he accomplished even more\u2014scoring 50 goals while fighting personal battles? That\u2019s something.<\/p>\n

Does 50 Goals Even Matter in Today\u2019s NHL?<\/p>\n

Some say the 50-goal milestone is outdated in today\u2019s NHL. With tighter defences, scoring is much more difficult. Plus, teams don\u2019t rely on one star scorer as much anymore; three players with 20 goals each can carry a team just fine. That the Maple Leafs\u2019 Auston Matthews put up 69 goals two seasons ago is amazing.<\/p>\n

Related: Montreal Canadiens\u2019 2025\u201326 Season Is All About Health and Depth<\/a><\/p>\n

But Montreal is different. Canadiens fans don\u2019t just want wins\u2014they want style, flair, and those moments that make you jump up and shout. Scoring 50 goals connects a player to a proud tradition. It\u2019s a signal that the team has that special kind of fire.<\/p>\n

Have the Canadiens Made it Tougher for Snipers?<\/p>\n

Montreal\u2019s style has often been about structure and responsibility. Coaches want players who can check, backcheck, and play solid defence. That\u2019s great for winning games, but it doesn\u2019t always give scorers the freedom to take risks and light up the scoreboard. Richer had that freedom for a bit. Since then, the Canadiens haven\u2019t really built a system around a pure sniper who can rack up goals like the legends did.<\/p>\n

\"ColeCole Caufield and Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens (Jess Starr<\/a>\/The Hockey Writers)<\/p>\n

Still, today\u2019s roster has talent. Cole Caufield posted a dazzling 37 goals in 2024\u201325<\/a>. Juraj Slafkovsk\u00fd has the size and skill to dominate. Two-time 30-goal scorer Nick Suzuki has the smarts and scoring touch. But hitting 50 goals isn\u2019t just about skill\u2014it\u2019s about opportunity, health, linemates, and sometimes luck. Right now, it\u2019s not clear if all that will come together any time soon.<\/p>\n

Why This Matters to Canadiens Fans<\/p>\n

So, is it a problem that no Montreal skater has scored 50 goals in over three decades? The short answer: Yes. But not just because of the number itself. It\u2019s about what the number represents\u2014a particular kind of excitement and individual brilliance that\u2019s been missing. Montreal fans want to see that spark, that flash of pure goal-scoring talent. Guy Lafleur. The Rocket. Two-time 50-goal scorer Richer. It\u2019s part of what made Canadiens hockey special.<\/p>\n

Related: Canadiens Prospect Oliver Kapanen Has a Chance to Claim an NHL Role<\/a><\/p>\n

After 35 years, we\u2019re still waiting for the next player to light up the scoreboard the way Richer did in 1989\u201390. And when it happens, it won\u2019t just be a milestone\u2014it\u2019ll be a reminder that the Canadiens\u2019 goal-scoring legacy isn\u2019t done yet.<\/p>\n

[Note: I\u2019d like to thank Brent Bradford (PhD) for his help co-authoring this post. His profile can be found at\u00a0www.linkedin.com\/in\/brent-bradford-phd-3a10022a9<\/a>]<\/p>\n

\"Substack<\/a><\/p>\n

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