Canadiens looked focused on Cole Caufield reaching milestone in loss to the New Jersey Devils

The Montreal Canadiens’ eight-game winning streak came to an end in their second of a back-to-back against the New Jersey Devils. Despite the loss, the Canadiens were still able to clinch a playoff spot thanks to the Detroit Red Wings' loss to the Minnesota Wild. It was the first time the Canadiens had been shut out since their 4-0 loss to the Red Wings back in January. The loss against the Devils was not because the Canadiens lacked chances; however, it felt like the team was too focused on helping Cole Caufield reach his 50th goal of the season.

Montreal found themselves down two entering the third, but had three power play opportunities in the frame to try and help them claw their way back into the game. Normally, three power play chances would have been enough to at least bring the lead down to one, with the Canadiens having the eighth-ranked power play in the NHL this season. However, it was the Devils who arguably had the best chances while the Canadiens were on the man advantage. It was almost as if the Devils knew where the Canadiens were trying to force the puck. They would pick off the pass and break out on a shorthanded two-on-one. From the fans in the crowd to the players on the ice, it became very clear that everyone wants Caufield to be the Canadiens' first 50-goal scorer since the 1989-90 season.

Caufield is on the cusp of an incredible milestone, and it is easy for the team to be distracted by it, not just because they want their teammate to reach 50, but at the same time, wanting to get rid of the added attention and pressure as soon as possible so that it does not bleed into the Canadiens final five games of the season. You could see the pressure start to boil over for Caufield late in the third after missing a prime scoring chance. After skating back to the bench following missing the scoring opportunity, Caufield was visibly annoyed at himself and let out a yell, which could have been targeted towards the crowd who had been chanting for him to shoot whenever the puck was on his stick.

The pressure will only build until he reaches 50, but the Canadiens can not let the crowd or the milestone influence their game. Caufield has scored 49 goals without the Canadiens trying to force him the puck, and they should not start now just because he is one goal away from hitting 50. If there is one thing Caufield does better than almost anyone in the league, it is finding a way to put the puck into the net. He will find a way to score in the ebbs and flows of the game, but the team can not let it affect how they play, especially with first place in the Atlantic Division up for grabs with five games to go. The Canadiens just need to play their game, and everything will fall into place after that.