The Montreal Canadiens are playing some of their best hockey as a team as of late, and are currently in the midst of a five-game win streak. One of the reasons for the recent success has been the performance of the top line, which includes Cole Caufield.
As the Canadiens chase a playoff spot, Caufield chases franchise history as he is in a great position to be the first Canadiens' player to win the Rocket Richard Trophy. The trophy was named after Canadiens legend in Maurice "Rocket" Richard, but no Montreal player has won the award since it was introduced in 1999.
The trophy goes to the player who has scored the most goals in the league, and Caufield is currently second with 46. He added another goal on Sunday night against the Carolina Hurricanes, had goals in back-to-back games, and has six in just the past five games.
Cole Caufield is chasing Nathan MacKinnon and the 50-goal milestone
He is currently chasing Nathan MacKinnon, who has led the league most of the season in the category. The Avalanche forward has 48 goals on the season, but has been unable to keep pace with Caufield, with only three goals over the past five games.
While game in hand matters mostly in playoff races, it is worth noting that MacKinnon still has a two-goal lead over Caufield and does have a game in hand.
Even if Caufield doesn't surpass MacKinnon, it has been an incredible season for the young forward. He still has nine games left in the regular season, and if he can reach 50 goals, it would be the first Montreal Canadiens player to accomplish that in nearly 40 years.
The last player was Stephane Richer, who had 50 goals in 1987-88, and he was one of five Canadiens players who had 50 goals in a season. Caufield could join Maurice Richard, Bernie Geoffrion, Guy Lafleur, and Pierre Larouche.
The focus for Caufield is certainly to help the Canadiens get to the playoffs, but it would be great to see, along the way, him be the first Canadiens' player to bring home the Rocket Richard Trophy.