On Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Cole Caufield finally reached that 50-goal milestone that took longer than many expected. After scoring two against the Rangers, Caufield went three games without a goal before scoring against the Lightning.
The chase for 50 was something that was widely talked about, and it is an incredible milestone, but it isn't a Canadiens' franchise record. For most goals in a season, that record still belongs to Steve Shutt and Guy Lafleur, with both scoring 60 in a season.
However, Caufield can put his name in the franchise record books this season as he is only one back of the record for most game-winning goals in a season.
Cole Caufield has a chance to break the Montreal Canadiens' record in game-winning goals set by Guy LaFleur
The record for most game-winning goals in a season is 13 and was set by Guy Lafleur during the 1978-79 season. Right now, Cole Caufield has 12 and is tied with four other players (Lafleur reached this mark in two separate seasons).
One of the reasons that this is even worth a discussion is because Caufield had a remarkable stretch recently where he scored a game-winning goal in three straight games. That was during their eight-game win streak with the deciding goal against the Hurricanes, Lightning and Rangers.
For him to reach this mark, it is not just scoring a goal but doing so at a pivotal point in the game. Of the three games left, Caufield has had a lot of success against the Islanders where he has four goals in two games this season. However, the other two teams (Blue Jackets and Flyers) he has zero goals in combined four games.
This is a record that won't garner the type of pressure that Caufield's chase for 50 goals did but it would be the perfect ending to what has been a remarkable season for the Canadiens forward.