{"id":543291,"date":"2026-04-06T05:06:57","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T05:06:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/543291\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T05:06:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T05:06:57","slug":"hidden-game-cole-caufield-still-seeking-50th-goal-as-canadiens-eight-game-winning-streak-ends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/543291\/","title":{"rendered":"Hidden Game: Cole Caufield still seeking 50th goal as Canadiens’ eight-game winning streak ends"},"content":{"rendered":"

With five games remaining in the schedule, we\u2019re not crazy enough to suggest Cole Caufield won\u2019t score again. <\/p>\n

But after he was shut out for a second consecutive game on Sunday, and remained stuck on 49 goals, we\u2019re reflecting on \u2014\u00a0and old enough to remember \u2014 the illustrious Frank Mahovlich<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Big M came close to but never produced a 50-goal season. Mahovlich, a left-winger, scored 48 goals for Toronto in 1960-61. He had 47 with six games remaining, only to score once. After being traded to Detroit, Mahovlich scored 49 goals during the 1968-69 season. While he tallied seven goals over the Red Wings\u2019 final seven games, and scored once at Chicago in Detroit\u2019s final contest, the magical 50th goal eluded him. He ended his NHL career with the Canadiens.<\/p>\n

Surely history won\u2019t be repeated in Caufield\u2019s case.<\/p>\n

\"MontrealMontreal Canadiens fans show their support for Cole Caufield\u2019s drive for 50 goals before a game against the New Jersey Devils at the Bell Centre on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n

All Caufield, all the time: Caufield had three shots in the Canadiens\u2019 3-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils Sunday night at the Bell Centre, which ended the team\u2019s eight-game winning streak. He played 20:57 and had a goal differential of minus-1. His best scoring opportunities came within seconds of each other in the third period while Montreal was on the power play. Both shots went wide. His five-game point streak came to an end, during which he scored five goals and four assists. Caufield recorded points in 11 of his last 12 games and scored 28 times over a 28-game span.<\/p>\n

\"MontrealMontreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield takes a shot against New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom during the third period at the Bell Centre on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n

Our random thought of the night: If Caufield had scored his 50th against New Jersey and the Canadiens lost, would the effort pale in comparison? Would it matter? Please discuss among yourselves.<\/p>\n

News you need (Part I): Goal scorers go on streaks, oscillating between hot and cold. Going two games without scoring isn\u2019t that unusual. Indeed, Caufield went six games without a goal between Dec. 13 and 21. He had a four-game drought in January and went three games without finding the back of the net in October. Six other times, he kept the \u201cslump\u201d to only two games. Seven if he scores Tuesday night against Florida.<\/p>\n

\"MontrealMontreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield looks for a rebound from New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom during the third period at the Bell Centre on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n

News you need (Part II): This marked the fourth time this season the Canadiens have been shut out \u2014\u00a0including three times on home ice.<\/p>\n

Eight is enough: The Canadiens failed to win a ninth consecutive game for the ninth time in franchise history. The last occurred during the 1991-92 season.<\/p>\n

The hidden game: We\u2019re not sure why teams frequently struggle when they return home following an extended road trip. But after winning five straight on the road over a nine-day period, the Canadiens were held to four shots in each of the opening two periods. Montreal \u201cexploded\u201d for 10 shots over the final 20 minutes.<\/p>\n

\"NewNew Jersey Devils centre Nico Hischier watches a shot go wide against Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler during the second period at the Bell Centre on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n

Our two cents: The Canadiens have spent far too much time over the last two games attempting to feed Caufield. Even head coach Martin St. Louis agreed too much attention was paid to getting the puck to Caufield on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Strange, but true: The Devils, with 40 wins, will likely miss the playoffs. The Canadiens, with 45 victories, clinched a post-season berth<\/a> with Detroit\u2019s loss earlier Sunday. The margin is that thin.<\/p>\n

News you need (Part III): New Jersey\u2019s record is 34-9-2 when they score three or more goals.<\/p>\n

\"MontrealMontreal Canadiens defenceman Lane Hutson high-sticks New Jersey Devils right wing Connor Brown during the second period at the Bell Centre on Sunday, April 5, 2026. A penalty was called on the play, but the Devils failed to score. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n

News you need (Part IV): While the Canadiens and Buffalo are tied in the Atlantic Division standings with 100 points, the Sabres are second based on 46 wins in 77 games. Montreal has 45 wins in 77 games. This was the Canadiens\u2019 game-in-hand on Buffalo. Tampa Bay (102 points in 76 games) leads the division.<\/p>\n

No ordinary Joe: Joe Veleno<\/a> has scored only twice in 58 games this season. He has been a healthy scratch 19 times. But he has now played in seven straight and had a strong first period. Veleno had two of Montreal\u2019s four shots, along with three hits.<\/p>\n

\"MontrealMontreal Canadiens centre Joe Veleno watches teammate Lane Hutson\u2019s shot go wide on New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom as Devils defenceman Johnathan Kovacevic tries to clear him from the crease during the first period at the Bell Centre on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n

Game of inches: Simon Nemec hit the post in the first period. Phillip Danault bounced a shot off the crossbar in the same period.<\/p>\n

News you need (Part V): Mike Matheson broke his stick on a shot early in the second period. This has now occurred \u2026 give or take \u2026 never mind. We\u2019ve lost count. Let\u2019s just say he has cost majority owner Geoff Molson a lot of dough.<\/p>\n

\"MontrealMontreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) looks back to see Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler make a save against the New Jersey Devils during the second period at the Bell Centre on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n

The definition of insanity: When the Devils and Canadiens met Saturday night<\/a> in New Jersey, Montreal allowed a shorthanded goal following a second two-on-one break. The visitors had a similar two-on-one attempt while shorthanded on Sunday, but Jacob Fowler<\/a> stopped Dawson Mercer.<\/p>\n

How not to play defence: Cody Glass scored the Devils\u2019 second goal, late in the second period, while splitting the tandem of Matheson and Noah Dobson.<\/p>\n

\"MontrealMontreal Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson chases New Jersey Devils centre Cody Glass during the second period at the Bell Centre on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n

Hit of the night: Luke Hughes did a face-plant into the glass early in the third period, following a solid check from Zachary Bolduc<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He got the last laugh: Remember when Bolduc thought he had scored against the New York Islanders<\/a> on March 21, late in a 7-3 Canadiens win \u2014\u00a0only to have head coach Patrick Roy correctly challenge the play for offside? Roy was fired on Sunday<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He gets the last laugh: Roy has two years remaining on his contract.<\/p>\n

\"MontrealMontreal Canadiens defenceman Lane Hutson breaks up New Jersey Devils centre Nico Hischier\u2019s drive for the net during the second period at the Bell Centre on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n

Next time, decline the penalty: The Canadiens went 0-for-4 on the power play.<\/p>\n

Quick stats: Veleno had six hits and two shots. Arber Xhekaj and both had four hits. Bolduc had three hits. Lane Hutson blocked three shots while playing 24:41. Dobson logged 23:39. Fowler\u2019s save percentage was .895. The Canadiens won only 44.2 per cent of their faceoffs, but outhit New Jersey 27-20.<\/p>\n

\"NewNew Jersey Devils left wing Brian Halonen tries to stop Montreal Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj during the second period at the Bell Centre on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n

They said it: \u201cIt was one of those games where pucks were bouncing the wrong way for us,\u201d Nick Suzuki said. \u201cMissed execution on scoring chances. It was one of those games.<\/p>\n

\u201c(Caufield) is finding good spots,\u201d Suzuki added. \u201cWe always try to look for him. He\u2019s a great goal scorer. He had a lot of chances tonight. It just didn\u2019t go in. I don\u2019t think anyone\u2019s trying to force anything to happen. We just have to continue to play and it\u2019ll happen for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"MontrealMontreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield looks for a rebound that does not come off New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom during the first period at the Bell Centre on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was kind of weird clinching a (playoff) spot before the game \u2014 and then losing the game,\u201d Kaiden Guhle said. \u201cWe still have five games to play. We\u2019re playing for home ice (advantage). These five games are really important for us. It was just an off night. It was hard to generate some things offensively.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t score 49 as a mistake,\u201d Josh Anderson said. \u201cHe has been a goal scorer his whole career. I think it just takes one shot to go in. It\u2019s bound to go in, especially when you have that many goals. By no means do we want to take our foot off the gas. We still have something to prove. Every game is important. We\u2019re trying to win as many games as we can.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m still trying to figure out why we were flat tonight,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"NewNew Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom gives Montreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield a good look during the third period at the Bell Centre on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Caufield did not get his 50th goal of the season against Markstrom, who got a shutout. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n

\"MontrealMontreal Canadiens centre Oliver Kapanen takes a hit from behind by New Jersey Devils defenceman Jonas Siegenthaler (71) as he tries to clear New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) during the first period at the Bell Centre on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n

\t\tEditor\u2019s Picks\t<\/p>\n

\"MontrealMontreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield and New Jersey Devils defenceman Jonas Siegenthaler race to the corner during the first period at the Bell Centre on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n

\"FansMontreal Canadiens fans show their support for Cole Caufield\u2019s drive for 50 goals before a game against the New Jersey Devils at the Bell Centre on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With five games remaining in the schedule, we\u2019re not crazy enough to suggest Cole Caufield won\u2019t score again.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":543292,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5109],"tags":[201,5,576,151,5185,5184,4],"class_list":{"0":"post-543291","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-jersey-devils","8":"tag-devils","9":"tag-hockey","10":"tag-new-jersey","11":"tag-new-jersey-devils","12":"tag-newjersey","13":"tag-newjerseydevils","14":"tag-nhl"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nhl\/116356032891031840","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543291","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=543291"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543291\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/543292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=543291"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=543291"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=543291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}