Nick Suzuki’s return gave the Canadiens a familiar spark, and Cole Caufield made sure the night ended the way Montreal wanted.
Suzuki was back on the ice after missing the last six games with an injury, and he immediately reconnected with Caufield. The two hooked up in overtime, with Suzuki setting up the winner and Caufield finishing the job in a 4-3 win over the Utah Mammoth.
That goal did more than seal the victory. It pushed Caufield to 15 career overtime goals in just 384 games, which is the fastest pace in NHL history. Connor McDavid is next on the list at 559 games, followed by Sebastian Aho at 645 and Alex Ovechkin at 653.
Fewest games to 15 career OT goals
Cole Caufield: 384
Connor McDavid: 559
Sebastian Aho: 645
Alex Ovechkin: 653 #GoHabsGo
- Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) November 6, 2026
There’s always some luck baked into an overtime-goal record, since a player can’t score one unless his team gets to extra time. But Caufield’s margin is so large - nearly 200 games, or about 2.5 regular seasons - that the gap stands on its own.
He’s also doing damage in another area. Caufield had 12 game-winning goals last season, more than McDavid and Ovechkin have ever managed in a single year, with both of them topping out at 11.
The scoring pace is starting to look familiar, too. Caufield erupted for a career-high 51 goals last season, becoming the first Canadiens player since 1989-90 to hit the 50-goal mark in a season. This year, he already has 11 goals and is on pace for 57 over an 84-game schedule.
That puts him in the early conversation for the Rocket Richard Trophy, the award given to the NHL’s top goal scorer. Montreal has never had a player win it, and Caufield finished just two goals behind Nate MacKinnon last season.
He’s tied for fifth in the NHL in goals right now, and while there’s a long way to go, Caufield has already made one thing obvious: if Montreal needs somebody to end a game in overtime, he’s as dangerous as anyone in the league.
In Other News...
Canadiens Game Just Took A Turn After Key Utah Blue-Liner Exit
The game between Montreal and Utah took a notable turn in the second period when the Mammoth lost veteran defenseman Nate Schmidt to an upper-body injury. Schmidt, who brings plenty of NHL experience to Utahs blue line, was ruled out for the rest of the night after the team confirmed he would not return.
Utah did not offer any further details on the injury or say exactly when Schmidt exited, leaving the situation a little murky as the game moved on. For Montreal, any absence on the back end can change the look of a matchup quickly, especially against a defenseman with Schmidts track record and steady presence. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Face A Growing Problem Ahead Of Montreal
The Maple Leafs are still tinkering with their forward mix as they get ready for Montreal, a sign of a lineup that is trying to settle itself at just the right time. Jack Roslovic was given a maintenance day, and Vinni Lettieri moved into a prominent spot as Toronto looks for more balance up front. Head coach Jim Hiller has made it clear the issue is not just who is available, but how long the club is spending in its own end.
For Montreal, the bigger picture is that Toronto is still managing a few moving parts while trying to sharpen its attack. John Tavares is moving forward in his recovery, but his return is not imminent until he clears the next checkpoint. The Maple Leafs want cleaner offensive-zone play and less defending, and the Canadiens will be watching to see whether those adjustments hold up once the puck drops. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Lineup Crunch Is Putting Real Pressure On Martin St-Louis
Martin St-Louis is running into a good problem, but it is still a problem. With captain Nick Suzuki back in the lineup and Kirby Dach also returning to health, the Canadiens coach had to make some difficult calls, and Suzuki immediately rewarded the decision with a goal and two assists in his first game back.
The bigger issue for Montreal is what happens next, because the roster is getting deeper at the same time other players have earned their way into the conversation. St-Louis has already acknowledged how hard these choices are, and as more bodies become available, the Canadiens may be heading toward even tougher lineup decisions. [Read more 🡒]