“To tell you the truth, I didn’t know the statistics. In my first few seasons in the NHL, I scored several goals in overtime. The Flames trusted me three-on-three and I loved being on the ice. »
The statistic that had escaped Sean Monahan remained hidden. NHL statisticians released a table on the subject on Thursday, October 27, a day after the Canadians’ 4-3 overtime win over the Blue Jackets.
Monahan holds the NHL record for most overtime goals before the age of 23. During his time with the Calgary Flames, he scored eight goals in overtime.
Cole Caufield could make this record disappear into oblivion. When visiting the Columbus Blue Jackets, he scored in overtime for the sixth time in his career. He defeated Elvis Merzlikins with an accurate shot after serving young Adam Fantilli a cup of coffee.
It was the second time this season that Caufield played in overtime against the Heroes.
“Yeah, I have time to catch up with Monahan,” Caufield said as he took off his skates after thirty minutes of practice. But Sean started in the NHL two years before me! »
Wants to dominate
Caufield will celebrate his 23rd birthday on January 2nd. There are 29 games in the CH calendar up to this date. With two goals in overtime, number 22 would write his name next to his teammate. He would break his record with three.
“He has the talent to get there, but it’s not easy because it requires games that end in overtime,” Monahan logically recalled.
Monahan, the Flames’ sixth overall pick in the 2013 draft, made his debut in Calgary in the fall of that year. He celebrated his 19th birthday on October 12th.
“I always loved jumping on the ice in overtime. To be successful, you have to want to be the one who makes the difference. You want to get the puck on your paddle. Cole has that mentality. He knows he can score or get a chance. He creates space and he has a lightning shot. You can easily tell he loves the big overtime scene. »
“Plus, there’s more space on the ice and you have more time to build plays,” Monahan continued. There are also several excesses. This is a context that favors offensive and intelligent players. »
Monahan, now 29, hasn’t added much to his personal stats for overtime goals. He has 11 in 688 NHL games.
In Caufield’s case, it took him 130 games to score six overtime goals.
Infectious energy
In Monahan’s eyes, the young American has rare qualities in addition to his natural goal-scoring instinct.
Photo agency QMI, JOEL LEMAY
“In Cole’s case, he has an infectious energy. I have rarely seen a player as happy as him in the arena. I love having him as a teammate. I’ve probably never played with a player who has as good a shot as him. He scores goals that many players couldn’t achieve. He is a special attacker. »
“I also know he wants to improve in all aspects of his game. He works hard in training, he watches videos and he pays attention to details. He’s already very good, but he’ll get even better. »
No more renewal goals before age 23
- Sean Monahan: 8 goals
- Connor McDavid: 7 goals
- Steven Stamkos: 7 goals
- Cole Caufield: 6 goals
- Pierre-Luc Dubois: 6 goals
- Jack Eichel: 6 goals
- Brayden Point: 6 goals
- Mario Lemieux: 6 goals*
*There was no three-on-three overtime in the Lemieux era. It was a five-minute extra time in the five-on-five game.