“After 40 comes 41”: Cole Caufield has the right mindset

Cole Caufield has scored 40 goals in the NHL. He did it in an overtime win for the Habs last night against Boston.
It's come close a few times in Montreal in recent years (Max Pacioretty and Cole Caufield have come close to the mark), but finally, the Canadiens have a 40-goal scorer in a single season.

This is a first since Vincent Damphousse (1993–1994)—32 years ago. Everyone in Montreal knows it.

Reporter: “Montreal hasn't had a 40-goal scorer in 32 years, did you know that?”
Cole Caufield: “Yeah, you guys talk about it a lot.” pic.twitter.com/7sM0GYujhY
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) March 18, 2026

In fact, hockey fans who grew up in Montreal and are under 30 are experiencing yet another first. After a first-ever Stanley Cup Final in 2021 and a first Calder Trophy last year, now a 40-goal scorer is added to the list.
I could even add a first player with at least 82 points, since in 2007–2008, we were a bit too young to fully remember the Artist's feats.

But anyway. All this to say that it's a significant milestone in Montreal. Caufield (who is second only to Nathan MacKinnon and his 45 goals in the league's scoring race) has just written his name in history.

For many people, the next step will be to see him become a 50-goal scorer. He has 15 games left to do so this season, which is a major challenge.

But how does he see it all?
When asked by Marc Denis after the game if the next step was to score 50 goals, he said the next step was… to score his 41st.

Marc Denis: “What's after 40 (goals)? 50?”

Cole Caufield: “41.” pic.twitter.com/ca14ECDqcZ
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) March 18, 2026

Caufield, who paid tribute to Martin St. Louis for guiding him to such a milestone, took a page from a veteran by refusing to put the cart before the horse.
One goal at a time, one game at a time. There's some St. Louis in there… and that's just fine.

Caufield, who is well-liked in the locker room, will no doubt see his teammates try to help him do everything possible to reach the legendary 50-goal mark.
In any case, when he scores, it helps the team.
Caufield, who has surpassed Howie Morenz with his 13 overtime goals (regular season and playoffs combined) to lead the Canadiens' all-time list, will need to keep a cool head so that winning remains his top priority.
As long as the playoffs aren't official, that has to remain the #1 goal… even if he knows, deep down, that his current pace resembles that of Stéphane Richer during his 50-goal season.

#FunFact: #Habs Cole Caufield scored his 40th goal in game 66 of the season, becoming the fastest #GoHabsGo” player to record a 40-goal season since Stéphane Richer did so in 63 games in 1989-90!
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) March 18, 2026

It's worth noting that Nick Suzuki, who recorded his 80th point of the season (no small feat, mind you) on Cole Caufield's game-winning goal in overtime, also made history.
He became the first Habs player since Damphousse, of all people, to record a second consecutive season with 80 or more points. The Quebec native did so in 1995–1996 and 1996–1997.
But the current Habs captain also joined Vincent Damphousse on another level. Clearly, the former Habs player was in the spotlight last night.
Nick Suzuki (who has 15 points in 10 games since returning from the Olympics) has two of the five 80-point seasons in club history by a captain. Vincent Damphousse, Pierre Turgeon, and Jean Béliveau are the others in this select group.

Suzuki now has 2 of the 5 80-point seasons by a Canadiens captain
Jean Béliveau, 1968-69 (82)
Pierre Turgeon, 1995-96 (96)
Vincent Damphousse, 1996-97 (81)
Nick Suzuki, 2024-25 (89)
Nick Suzuki, 2025-26 (80)
— Guillaume Villemaire (@GVillemaire13) March 18, 2026

overtimeYesterday's game, won 3-2, wasn't perfect for the Canadiens. The team's defensive system wasn't up to par for a team aiming for the playoffs.
The proof?

That's not the kind of coverage you're looking for.

2-1 Bruins. pic.twitter.com/67aoBy3WYG
— Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) March 18, 2026
But with the big guns stepping up, the club managed to secure a victory against a division rival. In such a tight race for the playoffs, this could make all the difference in a month, at the end of the season.
Note that the team will practice at 11 a.m. this morning in Brossard before heading to Detroit for tomorrow night's game.