Magical Tribute to Johnny Gaudreau: NHL's Top Three Scorers All Wearing Number 13 Including Cole Caufield

PUBLICATION

L. Honein
November 2, 2024 (3:37 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

This summer, Cole Caufield announced that he changed his number 22 in favor of 13, which was worn by Johnny Gaudreau.

This wonderful tribute seems to continue on the ice as the Canadiens forward scores prolifically since the beginning of the season.

With 10 goals in 11 games, the American sits atop the NHL's goal scorers, tied with Nico Hischier (who has played 14 games).

When you look at the standings of players currently competing for the Maurice Richard Trophy, one fact is striking. The top three players leading the list all wear number 13.

If this number usually brings bad luck, it seems to be inspiring this season.

Johnny Gaudreau brings luck to the NHL's top scorers

As Félix Forget from the DLC site reminds us, this number also brings luck to Alexis Lafrenière, who has accumulated 10 points in 10 games this season.

Let's be honest, we're entering a very superstitious area, but what athlete isn't? All the better if number 13 can inspire. The Blue Jackets are, after all, currently in the playoff picture

This burst from Caufield comes at the right time, especially for CH fans who haven't had much to celebrate in this difficult start to the season. It will be interesting to see if he can keep up this pace throughout the season.

After a 2023-2024 season where he maintained an 8.9% shooting efficiency, in 10 games this season, he has raised it to 30.8%. However, it would be surprising if Caufield maintained this ratio for the entire season. In the modern history of the NHL, no sniper has managed to maintain an efficiency ratio above 30%.

But knowing that William Nylander finished last season with 40 goals and a 12.7% rate, we can be optimistic. According to calculations by Jean-Charles Lajoie, if Caufield maintains an efficiency average of 15%, he could finish the season with 45 goals.

That wouldn't be enough to win the Maurice Richard Trophy, but he would be the first since Vincent Damphousse in 1993-1994 to surpass the 40-goal mark for the Habs.