Cole Caufield: Canadiens' Overtime Legend

Cole Caufield has rapidly established himself as one of the most lethal overtime performers in Montreal Canadiens history. At just 24 years old, the sharpshooter has already netted 11 career overtime goals, breaking a franchise record that stood for nearly a century. His combination of elite shooting ability, hockey sense, and clutch gene has made him a nightmare for opposing goaltenders when the game enters three-on-three action. From his very first NHL goal to his record-breaking tally against the Seattle Kraken, Caufield has consistently delivered when the pressure mounts and the ice opens up.

The record-breaking Cole Caufield overtime goal that made history against Seattle

On October 28, 2025, Cole Caufield etched his name into the Canadiens record books with his 11th career overtime goal, surpassing legends Howie Morenz and Max Pacioretty. The historic moment came in a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Seattle Kraken, capping off an impressive road trip for Montreal. What made this particular goal so memorable wasn’t just the record itself, but the way Caufield created the opportunity entirely on his own.

Receiving a pass from captain Nick Suzuki, Caufield demonstrated remarkable composure and skill under pressure. As Seattle’s Berkly Catton attempted to steal the puck, Caufield protected it with veteran poise beyond his years. He then proceeded to deke around defenseman Vince Dunn with a series of moves that left the veteran defender grasping at air. The finish was equally impressive—Caufield tucked the puck in from behind goalie Joey Daccord, using the net as a screen to complete the wraparound.

Cole Caufield’s overtime winner seals franchise record vs Seattle Kraken showcased everything that makes him dangerous in three-on-three situations. His patience, creativity, and confidence in taking on multiple defenders simultaneously demonstrated why he’s become such a clutch performer. The goal improved Montreal’s record to 8-3 on the season and capped off a successful 3-1 road trip.

This wasn’t even Caufield’s first overtime heroics against Seattle that season. Just two weeks earlier, he had already beaten the Kraken in overtime, foreshadowing the record-breaking performance that would follow. The ability to repeatedly deliver against the same opponent in high-pressure situations speaks to both his skill and mental fortitude.

The magical between-the-legs Cole Caufield overtime goal vs San Jose

Perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing entry on any list of top five overtime goals by Cole Caufield came on February 27, 2025, against the San Jose Sharks. This wasn’t just a pretty goal—it was a crucial victory that helped propel the Canadiens toward their first playoff appearance since 2021. Coming out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break, Montreal desperately needed momentum after stumbling through a dismal 1-7-1 stretch that had fans questioning whether the season was already lost.

Caufield answered those doubts emphatically with a highlight-reel goal that would be replayed countless times across hockey media. Facing off against rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini, Caufield pulled the puck between his own legs to slip past the talented youngster. In one fluid motion, he collected the puck on the other side and roofed it past goaltender Alexandar Georgiev from in close. The level of difficulty, combined with the pressure-packed situation, made this goal stand out among all his overtime tallies.

The timing of this victory cannot be overstated. It marked Montreal’s third consecutive win following the international tournament and ultimately became the fifth victory in a run that revitalized the Canadiens’ playoff hopes. Remove this single moment from the timeline, and the entire trajectory of Montreal’s season might have been different. The Habs were clawing their way back into postseason contention, and Caufield’s brilliance gave them the spark they desperately needed.

According to The Hockey Writers, this goal combined both historical significance and pure skill in a way that elevated it above most of his other overtime performances. The between-the-legs move on a player of Celebrini’s caliber, followed by the precision finish, demonstrated that Caufield possesses not just a lethal shot but exceptional hands and creativity when the game is on the line.

When Cole Caufield’s overtime goals sparked his coaching renaissance under Martin St. Louis

The overtime goal that Cole Caufield scored against the St. Louis Blues on February 17, 2022, holds special significance for multiple reasons. On the surface, it appeared to be just another overtime winner in what had been a forgettable last-place season for Montreal. However, this particular goal represented the first-ever NHL victory for newly appointed head coach Martin St. Louis, and it marked a turning point in Caufield’s career trajectory.

The game itself was a microcosm of what would become the Caufield-St. Louis partnership. Down 2-1 with just 10 seconds remaining in regulation, Caufield scored to force overtime and give his team a chance. Then, in the extra frame, Jeff Petry delivered a cross-crease pass that Caufield tipped past Blues goalie Ville Husso. The goal snapped a brutal 10-game losing streak and provided the first glimmer of hope during an otherwise dark season.

More importantly, this moment foreshadowed the explosive offensive growth Caufield would experience under St. Louis’s guidance. Under previous coach Dominique Ducharme during his rookie campaign, Caufield had managed just one goal through his first 30 games—a concerning start that had some questioning whether the highly-touted prospect would pan out. The coaching change proved transformative for the young sniper.

In his first 37 games under St. Louis during that 2021-22 season, Caufield exploded for 22 goals. The following season, he potted 26 goals in just 46 games before an injury shut him down early. That meant Caufield scored 48 goals in his first 83 games under St. Louis—a remarkable turnaround that validated both the player’s talent and the coach’s ability to unlock it. This overtime goal against the Blues wasn’t just St. Louis’s first win; it was the beginning of one of the most productive player-coach relationships in recent Canadiens history.

The first-ever Cole Caufield overtime goal that launched a legend against Ottawa

Every great journey begins with a single step, and for Cole Caufield’s overtime heroics, that first step came on May 1, 2021, against the Ottawa Senators. What made this goal particularly special is that it wasn’t just his first overtime winner—it was his first NHL goal, period. The pressure to score your first career tally is immense for any player, let alone doing it in overtime during a crucial late-season game with playoff implications on the line.

The Canadiens were battling for positioning in the North Division during the COVID-impacted 2020-21 season. Caufield, fresh off completing his collegiate career, had just joined the team and was eager to make an impact. Jeff Petry orchestrated the play perfectly, sliding a pass across the crease to a streaking Caufield, who tipped it past Senators goaltender Filip Gustavsson. While Caufield made it look effortless, the composure required to execute that play in such a high-pressure moment spoke volumes about his mental makeup.

This goal immediately established Caufield as more than just a promising prospect—he was a legitimate NHL threat who could deliver in clutch situations. For a player making his NHL debut during a playoff race, scoring your first goal in overtime to secure two crucial points is the stuff of storybook beginnings. It set the tone for what would become a remarkable playoff run for Montreal just weeks later.

The significance of this moment extends beyond the individual achievement. It announced to the hockey world that the Canadiens had found something special in their 2019 first-round pick. Skeptics who questioned whether Caufield’s size would limit his effectiveness at the NHL level received their answer immediately. When the game slowed down and space opened up in overtime, Caufield’s elite shot and hockey IQ made him virtually unstoppable.

Cole Caufield’s second overtime goal proved the first was no fluke vs Toronto

Just two days after scoring his first NHL goal in overtime against Ottawa, Cole Caufield did it again—this time against Montreal’s most heated rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs. On May 3, 2021, Caufield once again came through in the clutch, receiving the puck as he entered the slot and wiring a wrist shot past Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell for his second career overtime goal.

The rapid succession of these two overtime winners was crucial for several reasons. First, it proved his debut heroics were no fluke—Caufield genuinely possessed the ability to score in high-leverage situations. Second, the goal came during a critical point in the season when Montreal was desperately trying to secure a playoff berth. The Habs would lose their final five games of the regular season, limping into the postseason, but they held off the Calgary Flames for the final North Division spot largely because of victories like this one.

Cole Caufield breaks Canadiens franchise record for overtime goals has become a story years in the making, but it really began with these back-to-back overtime winners in his first week as an NHL player. The confidence boost from scoring in consecutive overtime games against division rivals set the foundation for everything that followed.

Perhaps most intriguingly, this goal against Toronto may have planted seeds of doubt in Campbell’s mind that would bear fruit during the playoffs. Just three weeks later, Nick Suzuki would finish off a two-on-zero with Caufield in overtime of Game 5 in the first round, with the Canadiens trailing 3-1 in the series. While Suzuki delivered the final touch, Campbell had to respect Caufield as a shooting threat, which opened up the passing lane. Montreal would complete the comeback to defeat the Maple Leafs in seven games before embarking on their unlikely run to the Stanley Cup Final.

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Cole Caufield’s collection of overtime goals represents more than just individual achievements—they chart the evolution of a player who has become one of the NHL’s most dangerous weapons in three-on-three situations. From his first goal as a rookie through his record-breaking 11th, each overtime tally has contributed to Montreal’s success and Caufield’s growing legend. At just 24 years old with 11 overtime goals already in the books, the question isn’t whether Caufield will add to his total, but rather how far he&#039ll extend a record that took nearly a century to establish. With his lethal combination of shooting accuracy, hockey intelligence, and clutch performance under pressure, Caufield has positioned himself to dominate Canadiens overtime records for decades to come.