Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield has solidified his reputation as a clutch performer, demonstrating a clear preference for high-pressure moments. Following his latest overtime heroics, the team's top goal-scorer openly embraced his role as the go-to player when the game is on the line.
A Flair for the Dramatic
Cole Caufield scored just 33 seconds into overtime on Saturday, January 19, 2024, capping a remarkable comeback as the Canadiens rallied from a two-goal deficit late in the third period to defeat the Ottawa Senators 6-5 on the road. This game-winning marker was the 12th overtime goal of Caufield's young career, salvaging a three-game road trip with a 1-1-1 record.
"I like it when the game's tight, the game's close and there's something on the line," Caufield stated after a team practice in Brossard on Monday. "When it comes down to it, I want the puck in those situations. I want to be the guy that does it. You can't be afraid to make a mistake. I enjoy those moments."
The Path to Victory
The dramatic finish unfolded after Caufield had already contributed a power-play goal in the first period to give Montreal an early 2-0 lead. The game see-sawed until overtime, where mere seconds after Ottawa's Tim Stutzle failed to convert a two-on-one chance, Caufield made no mistake on a similar opportunity. His powerful blast to the stick side beat Senators goaltender Leevi Merilainen, marking only the Canadiens' 19th shot of the entire game.
Through 49 games this season, Caufield's offensive production has been stellar. He has recorded 24 goals and 48 points, with nine of those goals serving as game-winners. He is currently on pace for 40 goals and 80 points, both of which would be career highs, surpassing the 37 goals he scored last season.
Reflecting on the three-on-three overtime format, Caufield explained, "When you have five minutes to try and win a game, it's tough to go to shootouts these days with the amount of chances being created. It's about high risk. The plays aren't always the best, but sometimes you have to take those opportunities when they come."
Team Context and Upcoming Return
Head coach Martin St. Louis praised Caufield's innate ability to thrive in open ice during overtime. "He finds himself in open ice," St. Louis said. "He's a guy you want to have the puck in open ice."
The Canadiens' next test comes on Tuesday, January 23rd, when they host the Minnesota Wild at the Bell Centre. The lineup may receive a significant boost, as there is a strong possibility injured forward Kirby Dach will return to action. Dach, who hasn't played since mid-November due to a fractured foot, had five goals and seven points in 15 games before his injury. His return could come at the expense of Alexandre Texier, who received a therapy day during Monday's practice.
Despite the thrilling victory, the game against Ottawa highlighted a recurring theme for the Canadiens this season: a tendency to squander leads. The team has shown remarkable resiliency when trailing but has also made a habit of blowing advantages. St. Louis acknowledged the issue but separated the contexts of protecting a lead versus mounting a comeback.
"It's two different contexts," St. Louis noted. "If you're trailing, you're chasing the clock. Your risk level goes up... But I think they're a resilient group. We're trying to put ourselves in situations where we don't have to be resilient."
Echoing his coach's sentiment, Caufield identified minimizing deficits as a key resolution. "We're hoping that might switch soon," he said. "We always want to go into the third with the lead. That's something we can do by separating ourselves earlier in the game. It's obviously not where you want to be—chasing games all the time. It's something we can learn from and fix."
As the Canadiens prepare for their matchup against Minnesota, all eyes will be on whether Caufield can continue his overtime magic and if the team can build a more consistent performance over sixty minutes.
