The Montreal Canadiens started their scoring ways for the 2024-25 season off the stick of Cole Caufield.
Donning his new number 13, Caufield zinged a shot past Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz. Caufield looked like a kid in a candy store, and the fans went nuts. The tally was the 150th point of Caufield's career, in game number 206.
Caufield's first tally of the season marked the third season-opening game of the season consecutively that Caufield scored a goal. The scoring that intrigued the Habs when they drafted Caufield, has translated to some consistency. His notching a goal in the first game is a great way for him to hit the ground running.
Cole Caufield got the @CanadiensMTL on the board with his 150th career point (206 GP). He became the fastest player to record his first 150 NHL points with Montreal since Saku Koivu (190 GP in 1995-96 to 1997-98). #NHLFaceOff#NHLStats: https://t.co/VQGwxJ9teq pic.twitter.com/BlUVDsCbg9
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 10, 2024
How will the confidence translate into game No. 2 and so on?
Caufield doesn't necessarily need to be the only guy scoring for the Habs to be a success but it sure goes a long way when he is. So, when he scored a goal in the Habs season opener, it was a reason to be excited and hopeful for what's to come. Caufield has an ability unlike anybody else on the team not named Patrik Laine to score in the 40-50 goal range.
With the Boston Bruins next on the schedule, the Canadiens will have their hands full and Caufield continuing his scoring ways would go a long way. Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman will be riding a wave of confidence with his new contract in hand. So Caufield will be best to get some pucks on the net early and often.
Certain teams are just more fun to score against, the Bruins and Leafs are at the top of the list. If Caufield can tally another against the Bruins and go on a hot streak, I don't see how he doesn't reach a new career high in goals. The top line is healthy and the team is riding some confidence on the back of Samuel Montembeault's shutout of the rival Maple Leafs, who knows what's in store.
I have a good feeling about Caufield and the team should certainly be in the right spot to hit the ground running and take a big step this season.