The Montreal Canadiens’ long rebuild is finally yielding the desired results in the 2025-26 NHL season. After making the playoffs last season, they are placed near the top of the Atlantic Division with 106 points, tied with Buffalo. Still, each game down the stretch is important, and that pressure has only increased with every result, putting a spotlight on the team’s top performers.
During that run, their leading scorer this season felt the pressure more than most. While driving the offense, Cole Caufield managed the weight of both team expectations and a personal milestone chase.
Cole Caufield Explains the Stress Behind His Milestone During Canadiens’ Crucial Stretch
Caufield’s recent run captured both his scoring ability and the mental challenge of chasing a milestone during a playoff push. The 25-year-old winger reached the 50-goal mark against the Tampa Bay Lightning, becoming the first Canadiens player in 36 years to achieve that feat. He opened the scoring early in the second period, finishing a rush from Nick Suzuki with a precise shot past Andrei Vasilevskiy.
While the moment stood out, Caufield admitted the buildup was not easy as the team battled through meaningful late-season games. “I’m not going to lie, I was pretty stressed out the past couple of days,” he said, explaining how the wait stretched over three games.
Caufield also pointed to the environment in Montreal as a factor, noting how much the moment meant beyond just personal numbers.
“But that’s what makes this place so special, and that’s why it’s so cool for me and my teammates and coaches and family to kind of take this in and enjoy it,” he added.
“Honestly, it felt like it was never going to come for a couple of days. It was three games, and it felt like forever, but I’m just glad it’s kind of over with now and we can get back to work. We’ve still got a couple more big games left.”
Montreal’s form has supported that push as they head towards the end of the regular season in strong form. They recently secured a 4-1 win over the New York Islanders. Suzuki led with a goal and an assist, while the team broke the game open in the second period with three goals in 55 seconds. Contributions from Ivan Demidov and Alex Newhook added depth, and rookie David Reinbacher impressed with an assist in his debut.
The Canadiens have now won 5 of their last 7 games, holding their position near the top of the division. Their growth from previous seasons has been clear, with improved consistency and scoring depth making a difference in tight matchups. Caufield’s production has played a major role in that rise, as he remains among the league’s top goal scorers.
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