On Tuesday night, Cole Caufield reminded everyone exactly who he is - and maybe sent a not-so-subtle message to Team USA while he was at it.
With just 15 seconds left on the clock, Caufield delivered a dagger to the Minnesota Wild, ripping home the game-winner in a 4-3 Canadiens victory. The play was pure skill: a one-time finish off a slick feed from Nick Suzuki, who, fittingly, is heading to the Olympics with Team Canada. Caufield, on the other hand, won’t be joining Team USA in Milan - a decision that’s raised more than a few eyebrows around the league.
The Canadiens didn’t waste the opportunity to stir the pot. Shortly after the game, they posted a highlight of Caufield’s clutch goal, tagging USA Hockey in the post.
No caption, no commentary - just the tape. Sometimes, the tape says it all.
And here’s where things get even more interesting: the Wild’s general manager is Bill Guerin. He also happens to be the GM of Team USA.
So the guy watching his team get burned by Caufield in the final seconds? He’s the same guy who left Caufield off the Olympic roster.
That’s a tough pill to swallow - and Caufield knew how to make it sting.
“We just found a way to keep the puck alive, and luckily it went in,” Caufield said after the win. “That’s why you play the full 60 or 65, whatever it is. They all count the same, but it feels good to get two points tonight.”
.@usahockey pic.twitter.com/jUck62SBbY
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 21, 2026
It wasn’t just a big win for Montreal - it was another example of Caufield’s knack for stepping up in the biggest moments. He’s been doing it all season, helping lead the Canadiens to a 28-15-7 record, good for third in the Atlantic Division and just three points behind the Lightning for the top spot.
Meanwhile, Team USA’s roster does include a few names from the Wild, including Matt Boldy and defenseman Brock Faber. And to Faber’s credit, he owned the final sequence.
“A point would have been huge,” Faber said. “Back-to-backs, like that, obviously getting it into overtime would have given us a chance to get two points.
I think that one sucked at the end, that last shift. He’s [Caufield] the most dangerous player on the ice, and I’ve got to close harder there.
That’s what he does. He scores big goals.”
Faber’s right - Caufield is the most dangerous player on the ice. And that’s what makes his Olympic omission so puzzling. He’s not just producing - he’s producing in crunch time, against quality opponents, and in moments that define a season.
There’s still time before the puck drops in Milan, but for now, Caufield’s message is loud and clear: if you leave him off the roster, you’d better be ready to pay for it. Team USA may have made their call, but Caufield’s making his case - one goal at a time.
Montreal will look to keep the momentum rolling on Thursday when they host the Sabres in a key divisional matchup. And if Caufield keeps playing like this, the Olympic snub might just become the Canadiens’ gain.