His frustrations on the ice have gotten palpable, as symbolized by the couple of instances he slammed his stick in opposition to the boards in disgust after returning to the bench from shifts in opposition to the Sabres.
Caufield’s solely purpose of the postseason got here in Sport 4 of Montreal’s first-round collection in opposition to the Tampa Bay Lightning, a contest the Canadiens would go on to lose 3-2. He hasn’t had some extent within the 4 video games since then however stated there are different areas during which he can assist the workforce.
On the identical time, his function is to offer offense, particularly throughout the playoffs, when it’s more durable to provide and actual property on the ice is harder to search out. The truth that the Canadiens, who path the best-of-7 collection heading into Sport 2 right here on Friday (7 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, TNT, SN, TVAS, CBC), have made it this deep into the postseason with nearly no manufacturing from him is a sworn statement to the depth scoring they’re receiving.
However how lengthy can they final with out constant factors from the likes of Caufield, who has simply 4 (one purpose, three assists)?
Not very. And he is aware of it.
“You are not going to attain each sport, however clearly simply wish to make a distinction doing different issues — successful puck battles, making an attempt to create extra and taking part in more durable in your D-zone,” he stated. “Simply again to these issues.
“We had much more (area) final night time. Felt like we generated much more within the O-zone, some longer shifts there, and positively one thing that we may construct off.”
For his half, Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis has not misplaced religion in his gifted wing.
“It begins with the person participant, however there’s a sturdy emphasis on the collective sport,” St. Louis stated. “Yesterday the sport as a complete felt totally different than the earlier seven in opposition to Tampa Bay. We performed with the puck extra — and with area. We haven’t had that for 2 weeks.
“I’m assured we’ll enhance our play with the puck in open area. Cole can be part of that.”
An essential one, captain Nick Suzuki stated.
“I imply, he’s been taking part in arduous,” Suzuki stated. “I don’t suppose he’s too pissed off. Clearly there are moments in a sport the place you get pissed off with your self, however I assumed he’s been doing job of simply persevering with to play.
“He’s a extremely good participant and he’ll discover his second to attain. For certain.”
And be accountable if he doesn’t, like he was Thursday.
That’s a noticeable trait with this younger workforce. A lot of the gamers don’t keep away from taking accountability when issues turn out to be troublesome.
Take defenseman Lane Hutson, for instance.
Lower than 5 minutes into Sport 1, the Canadiens star defenseman blew a tire and fell on his rump, leading to a 3-on-1 that ended with a Josh Doan purpose that put the Sabres up 1-0, a lead they’d by no means relinquish.
To everybody else within the constructing, he’d merely misplaced his stability. It was an accident.
To Hutson, who was the primary participant on the ice at KeyBank Middle for the non-compulsory observe on Thursday, it was inexcusable.
“Like, everybody form of got here able to play besides me, truthfully,” the 22-year-old stated. “Yeah, a crappy bounce there however you’ve acquired to make a greater play there.”
Hutson was being too arduous on himself. Fluke performs like that occur.
“Dangerous feeling for certain,” he stated. “However we transfer on.”
Identical to Caufield is.