The 1977-78 season saw Guy Lafleur tie the Montréal Canadiens' single-season goal-scoring record with 60 goals in just 78 games. Steve Shutt had set the record one year earlier after scoring 60 goals in 80 games. Since the 60-goal record was set, only two players other than Lafleur himself have come anywhere close to the record.
In 1989-90, Stephane Richer had 51 goals in 75 games, putting him seventh all-time. Last season, Cole Caufield also had 51 goals, taking 81 games to do so, ranking him eighth and making everyone wonder: could Caufield be the one to break Lafleur's record?
Could it be Cole Caufield?
The 2025-26 season was the best of Cole Caufield's young career. His 51 goals were the most by any Canadiens player last season, and he finished second in points behind Nick Suzuki with 88. He made a substantial jump in production, having scored only 37 goals in the 2024-25 season.
In the way that every player hopes things will go, Caufield has consistently improved his goal-scoring each season in the NHL, even when he only saw half a season in the 2022-23 season. This is a great sign, not only for record-breaking purposes, but for the Canadiens as a whole.
If Caufield wants to keep chasing that 60-goal mark, he'll have to continue to keep up the things that have been going well. One of those things is his shooting percentage. His 19.8 shooting percentage was the highest in his career, and he fired 258 shots on goal last season. A higher shooting percentage is the best way to get more pucks in the net.
It'll also be helpful for things to stay similar lineup-wise for Caufield next season. The top line of Caufield, Suzuki, and Slafkovský worked wonderfully together last season. Suzuki, who dominated in the assist column last season and won the Selke Trophy, is a great partner for Caufield. All of the first power-play unit where Caufield played last season will be back with the Canadiens as well. Eighteen of Caufield's 51 goals last season came on the power play.
This record would require Caufield hitting his absolute ceiling
If Caufield can get to the 61 goal milestone, it wouldn't be the first Canadiens record that Caufield has broken. Last season, he became the first Canadiens player in 32 years to score 40 goals in a single season.
Still, 61 goals in a single season is a big ask. No NHL player scored more than 53 goals last season. Auston Matthews was the last player to score more than 61 goals in a season, putting up 69 goals in the 2023-24 season.
Even if it's not next season, Caufield still has the skill and the linemates to help him get close to beating the Montréal Canadiens' single-season goal record at some point in his career.
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