\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tApril 2, 2026\u00a0\u00a0(10:05 PM)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t ![\"Montr\u00e9al](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/656149.webp.webp\" "\\"Montr\u00e9al")
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Photo credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Would Martin St-Louis send Cole Caufield onto the ice while the New York Rangers\u2019 net was completely empty?<\/p>\n
The answer is ultimately no.<\/p>\n
Instead, he made the gesture toward Joe Veleno to jump onto the ice at the most critical moment of the game:<\/p>\n
Martin St-Louis decides not to send Cole Caufield onto the ice with the New York Rangers\u2019 net empty<\/p>\n
Personally, I have absolutely no issue with this decision.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Still, let\u2019s relive Caufield\u2019s 49th goal together, live from Madison Square Garden:<\/p>\n
It\u2019s worth recalling that just a few hours earlier, during a press conference, Martin St-Louis had shared his intentions on this matter.<\/p>\n
“I wouldn\u2019t say it\u2019s my focus. I would be happy if it happens but I wouldn\u2019t say it\u2019s our focus. I wouldn\u2019t say I spend a lot of time thinking about it.”<\/p>\n
– St. Louis today when asked about Cole Caufield potentially reaching the 50 goal mark<\/p>\n
That explains tonight\u2019s decision late in the game against the New York Rangers.<\/p>\n
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics<\/p>\n
POLL<\/p>\n
9 HOURS AGO|143 ANSWERS<\/p>\n
Martin St-Louis keeps Cole Caufield off ice at 49 despite empty-net chance vs Rangers<\/p>\n
Would you have liked Martin St-Louis to send Cole Caufield onto the ice at the end of the game?<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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