A historic 4-nations Face Off win for Team Canada. Alex Ovechkin is surpassing NHL legend Wayne Gretzky as the all-time leading scorer. Ice hockey could not have peaked more in 2024. But amid all of this, the sport also faced gruesome news when Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau left the world for the heavenly abode. It has been over seven months since Johnny and Matthew died in a brutal accident, but the Gaudreau family is still not able to get past the tragedy. “There are days I can deal with this pain. I can smile. I can even laugh. And then there are days that I can hardly get out of the bed. Grief is hard, so very hard,” Jane shared on Instagram story. Beyond the family, one person deeply shaken by the tragedy was Cole Caufield, who idolized Johnny and felt the loss on a profoundly personal level.

Reflecting on the bond the Montreal Canadiens star had developed during their 2024 IIHF World Championship days, Cole wrote on Instagram, “Getting to play with your hero is something that most people only dream of.” Honoring his hero, Cole also switched his jersey number. from #22 to Johnny’s #13 last season. Now, recently, while Caufield stole the show at the playoff game at a roaring Bell Center, it was his heartwarming moment with Johnny and Matthew’s father, Guy Gaudreau, after the final whistle.

After losing the first two games, the Canadiens made a roaring comeback with a huge 6-3 win. Caufield’s leading goal with nine seconds remaining in the period and a pass at 13:23 that Juraj Slafkovsky converted into another goal turned out to be the highlight of the game. Soaking in the win, the 24-year-old winger won everyone’s heart when he shared the frame with Guy Gaudreau, Johnny, and Matthew’s father.

TVA’s Renaud Lavoie shared on X, “
Guy Gaudreau (Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau’s dad) was at the game and was seen with Cole Caufield after the game.” For Caufield, this encounter must have been profoundly emotional. He and Johnny were close friends, and after Johnny’s passing, Caufield switched from #22 to Johnny’s #13 as a tribute to the fallen
NHL star.

Following in Gaudreau’s footsteps, Caufield has become one of the most dynamic young goal-scorers in the sport. And like Gaudreau, he’s accomplishing it as what most would describe as ‘undersized’ at 5-foot-8. And it seemed like the Capitals wanted to make the most out of the difference in size.

The series has been physical, and he’s been taking a beating. In Game 2 on Wednesday night, with the Canadiens trailing 2–1 late in the third, Caufield’s frustration boiled over. He had already taken a big hit from Tom Wilson, and then, after firing a close-range shot, he was cross-checked in the face by Connor McMichael. To make things even worse, no penalty was called. Sportsnet cameras caught Caufield on the bench, slamming his towel and banging the glass in disbelief. Fans were just as fed up, pointing to a pattern of missed calls that’s been a sore spot all series.

Cole Caufield gives a Three-word response after Alex Ovechkin’s hit sent him flying

In a thrilling Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Washington Capitals’ star Alex Ovechkin left an indelible mark on the Montreal Canadiens, both on the scoreboard and physically, during a 3-2 overtime victory. The 6-foot-3, 238-pound veteran was a force, scoring twice—including the game-winning goal in overtime—and leading all players with seven hits. One of those hits,
a crushing check on Canadiens forward Cole Caufield, became a defining moment of the match, sparking conversation and highlighting Ovechkin’s imposing presence.

Late in the second period, in the offensive zone’s corner, Ovechkin targeted the 5-foot-8, 175-pound Caufield. With a powerful shoulder-to-chest check, Ovechkin extended his arms, sending Caufield crashing into the boards and down to the ice. The hit, clean but devastating, showcased the physical disparity between the two players. During intermission, ESPN’s Emily Kaplan asked Caufield about the experience of absorbing such a blow from the Capitals’ captain. His three-word response, “Don’t recommend it,” delivered with a wry smile, captured the moment’s intensity while showing his resilience.

Despite the jarring hit, Caufield bounced back, returning to the bench and later scoring Montreal’s first goal of the postseason in the third period. His tally, a testament to his grit, sparked a Canadiens rally. Nick Suzuki followed with a tying goal, forcing overtime. However, Ovechkin’s heroics weren’t done. Just over two minutes into the extra frame, he buried a pass from Anthony Beauvillier, securing a 1-0 series lead for Washington. Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis, while disappointed with the loss, found positives in his team’s effort. “I thought it was a pretty good first game,” he said, praising their response after falling behind 2-0. The game set the tone for a hard-fought series, with Washington’s physicality and Montreal’s resilience on full display.

As the series shifts to Game 4, both teams will look to build on their performances. For Caufield, the hit from Ovechkin was a painful reminder of the playoffs’ physical demands, but his quick recovery and contribution signal Montreal’s determination. Meanwhile, Ovechkin’s all-around dominance underscores why he remains one of the NHL’s most formidable players. The stage is set for an intense battle as the series continues.