BUFFALO — Cole Caufield knows he needs to be better.
The Canadiens sniper registered a solitary power-play goal in a tight-checking, seven-game playoff slugfest with the Tampa Bay Lightning before again being held at bay in Montreal’s 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres that opened the second round.
Caufield found the back of the net 51 times in the regular season — the first player from the Original Six franchise to reach the half-century mark in 36 years — but has now failed to register a point across his team’s last four contests.
The 25-year-old, who says he expects more from himself, took part in Thursday’s optional practice at KeyBank Center, adding his confidence remains high despite a long offensive dry spell.
The free-flowing Sabres allowed Montreal’s top line, one that includes Caufield, Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slavkovsky, more time and space in Game 1 compared to the war of attrition his club faced against Tampa, but the trio was still unable to break through at 5-on-5.
The Canadiens will look to even the best-of-seven series Friday in Buffalo before things shift to the Bell Centre for Games 3 and 4.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2026.
Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
