Cole Caufield Quietly Joins Nick Suzuki in the Canadiens' Race to Break Milestone Dating From 2008
If the trend continues, Nick Suzuki could very well be the first player to reach the 82-point mark in a season since Alex Kovalev in 2007-2008.
However, very quietly, there is another player from the Canadiens who could reach this milestone, and that player is Cole Caufield.
The Contribution of Martin St-Louis
Many believed, when he entered the league, that the young American would only be productive as a goal scorer.
His production and especially his usefulness were thought to be limited to that.
It took Martin St-Louis coming behind the bench to prove that the Canadiens' number 13 is more than just a goal scorer.
The head coach took on the mission of turning him into a complete player, and we are now seeing the results of this work.
Cole Caufield Quietly Closing in on His Captain in Points
Caufield has accumulated 23 goals and 17 assists for a total of 40 points in 42 games.
That's just three points fewer than Nick Suzuki, who has 43 points in as many games as number 13.
A great turnaround for Caufield, who many had labeled as a player with only one strength, or a one-trick pony.
From now on, we'll need to think of Caufield when we talk about that famous race to 82 points and the milestone that Alex Kovalev had reached back then.
For those who thought the small forward's contribution would be limited to several goals and a few assists each year, we're far from that!
He has reinvented himself, especially since Patrik Laine joined the team.
The Finnish player took Caufield's place as a goal scorer on the first power play unit, and number 13 has found another way to be useful.
Surprisingly, Caufield is actually more productive at 5-on-5 than on the power play this season.
If he maintains this pace, Caufield could finish the season with 46 goals and 34 assists for a total of 80 points.
Martin St-Louis will certainly have a decision to make with the return of Patrik Laine, particularly regarding the special teams.
