Martin St-Louis keeps Cole Caufield off ice at 49 despite empty-net chance vs Rangers
Montreal Hockey Fanatics has no direct affiliation to the Montreal Canadiens, NHL or NHLPA
PUBLICATION
Leo Honein
April 2, 2026Â Â (10:05 PM)
Photo credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
As Cole Caufield was just one goal away from his 50th, and also one goal away from a hat trick in New York, attention turned to St-Louis.
Would Martin St-Louis send Cole Caufield onto the ice while the New York Rangers’ net was completely empty?
The answer is ultimately no.
Instead, he made the gesture toward Joe Veleno to jump onto the ice at the most critical moment of the game:
Martin St-Louis decides not to send Cole Caufield onto the ice with the New York Rangers’ net empty
Personally, I have absolutely no issue with this decision.
Caufield still has plenty of time before the end of the season, the lead was only one goal, and St-Louis had to prioritize the win above all else. Therefore, sending out defensively reliable players was entirely logical.
Still, let’s relive Caufield’s 49th goal together, live from Madison Square Garden:
It’s worth recalling that just a few hours earlier, during a press conference, Martin St-Louis had shared his intentions on this matter.
“I wouldn’t say it’s my focus. I would be happy if it happens but I wouldn’t say it’s our focus. I wouldn’t say I spend a lot of time thinking about it.”
– St. Louis today when asked about Cole Caufield potentially reaching the 50 goal mark
That explains tonight’s decision late in the game against the New York Rangers.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
POLL
9 HOURS AGO|143 ANSWERS
Martin St-Louis keeps Cole Caufield off ice at 49 despite empty-net chance vs Rangers
Would you have liked Martin St-Louis to send Cole Caufield onto the ice at the end of the game?