In Arlington, V.A., Cole Caufield referenced a familiar saying from former teammates he went to the Stanley Cup Final with.
“You don`t get many chances at this,” he remarked before the first-round series. This sentiment likely resonates with him as the Montreal Canadiens face elimination in Washington, trailing the Capitals 3-1.
At 24, this is only his second playoff appearance. For Caufield and many younger players integral to the Canadiens` rebuild, the current experience is incredibly significant.
However, these young players are motivated by more than just personal experience or ambition.
During the 2021 run to the Final, when he was 20, Caufield also played for veterans nearing the end of their Cup pursuit. He played for Carey Price and Shea Weber, who hadn`t won it and wouldn`t get a better shot. He also played for Eric Staal, seeking one last opportunity, and Corey Perry, who seemed to defy time with his performance.
Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson were also key figures then.
They were somewhat younger but played massive roles in that successful playoff run.
Since that time, Anderson and Gallagher`s years away from the playoffs have positioned them as the veterans the current young players are fighting for. They dedicated peak years to guiding the younger generation through the challenging initial phase of this rebuild, and the current team is focused on rewarding them for that sacrifice this season.
Tristan Blackwood