Danault frustration grows as Caufield’s playoff shot total draws heat
danault is back in the conversation as the Canadiens’ playoff push sharpens the focus on Cole Caufield’s production. In two games since the start of the playoffs, Caufield has taken only six shots at Andrei Vasilevskiy’s net, and three have reached the target. That level of volume is being treated as too low for Montreal’s pure goal-scorer, especially with the series against the Lightning now shifting to the Bell Centre.
Playoff pressure turns up fast
Caufield finished the regular season with 51 goals, a total that placed him second among the NHL’s top scorers. But that regular-season success is being set aside now, because the Canadiens need more than past production to get past Tampa Bay in the first round.
In the first two games of the series, Caufield’s shot line has been modest: three shots hit the target, two missed the net, and one was blocked. The simple read is blunt: three shots on goal in two playoff games is not enough for a player recognized as Montreal’s main finisher.
There is still time for that to change, and the series remains young. But the expectation inside this matchup is clear: the Canadiens need their best scorer to look like their best scorer when the games matter most.
What the criticism is really about
Gilbert Delorme put the issue directly: “I’m sorry, but he (Caufield) has to be better. ” That comment captures the central concern surrounding danault and the Canadiens’ attack — not whether Caufield can score, but whether he can create enough danger to tilt a tight playoff series.
One team-focused postgame reaction also made the contrast obvious, placing attention on Josh Anderson for a strong night while pairing Jake Evans and Phillip Danault with disappointment. The broader message was not subtle: Montreal cannot rely on reputation alone, and danault sits in a discussion shaped by effort, execution, and urgency.
Montreal needs more at the Bell Centre
The Canadiens now return home, and the schedule gives Caufield a chance to answer in front of the Bell Centre crowd. The team’s expectation is simple: two strong performances at home could change the tone of the series and ease the pressure around danault and the rest of the forward group.
Cole Caufield’s playoff shot total has not triggered panic, but it has created a real test. If Montreal is going to advance, the players built to finish plays have to finish them now, and danault remains part of the conversation as the Canadiens search for a better offensive pulse. The next two games in Montreal will show whether Caufield can turn that criticism into a response.
Quick context
The Canadiens’ regular season ended with Caufield’s 51-goal breakout, but playoff series do not reward past totals. In this matchup, every shot matters more, and every quiet stretch is magnified.
