Cole Caufield’s dismal statistics

Yes, we have to talk about a slump when it comes to Cole Caufield. Here are a few stats that show just how overdue our little Cole is for a goal:

1. Cole Caufield has just one goal in eight games since the start of the playoffs. No fewer than 85 players have more goals than Caufield this year in the playoffs.

It's pretty crazy when you consider that Caufield was the regular season's leading scorer—excluding empty-net goals! How can you go from 51 goals in 81 games… to just a single goal in eight games?

2. Caufield has just one goal in his last ten games (regular season + playoffs).

3. Caufield's last five-on-five goal dates back to April 9. It was his 50th and came against the Lightning. If he fails to beat Alex Lyon tonight in Buffalo (at even strength), Caufield will have gone over a month without scoring at five-on-five…

During the regular season, he scored 11 power-play goals and five in overtime. In short, he's more than capable of scoring five-on-five goals.

Cole Caufield needs to wake up

Cole Caufield is paid (very) well to score goals, and the Canadiens won't be able to eliminate
a second consecutive opponent without contributions from their top offensive players (Caufield, Demidov, etc.).

Against the Lightning, we could excuse Caufield for not scoring since there was no space on the ice and the games ended in low-scoring affairs. Now, against the Sabres, we're seeing open play reminiscent of the regular season.

Caufield has no excuses; he needs to produce. Otherwise, he'll start to earn a reputation as a guy who's productive during the regular season but isn't the same once the playoffs begin.

And nobody wants that.

Where are Josh Anderson and Juraj Slafkovsky?
Ivan Demidov is still looking for his first NHL playoff goal (0 goals, 4 assists, and a -7 plus/minus in 13 games), and Cole Caufield is in a slump, but we're forgetting to talk about Josh Anderson and Juraj Slafkovsky.

After Game 1 against the Lightning, many—media, fans, and NHL players—were raving about Slaf and Anderson's play. People were even daring to predict they'd win the Conn Smythe Trophy!

Except that since then, things have quieted down for the two big Montrealers.

Slafkovsky has just one assist in seven games, despite playing on the first line and the first power play unit, while Josh Anderson has managed only six shots in his last six games (and no goals).

Several players are due for a big night tonight in Buffalo. It's up to them to step up and make their mark on the game… and the series.