Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau’s Father Approaches Cole Caufield Amid Unfortunate Washington Capitals Struggle

“Getting to play with your hero is something that most people only dream of,” Cole Caufield wrote on Instagram, reflecting on the bond that he had developed with Johnny Gaudreau when they played together at at the 2024 IIHF World Championship. That connection took on a deeper meaning after the Montreal Canadiens’ 6-3 rout of the Washington Capitals in Game 2, when Caufield shared a heartfelt moment with Guy Gaudreau, father of the late Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who tragically lost their lives on August 29 last year. A suspected drunk driver in Salem County, New Jersey, struck the brothers in an incident that shook the hockey world. The playoff game at a roaring Bell Centre had it all: Cole Caufield tearing up the ice, and then, a heartfelt moment that steals the show.

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.

Gaudreau grew up to be an NHL superstar despite his size, at just 5-foot-9 and 163 pounds. He had 243 goals and 743 points in 763 games in his career with the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets and was named to seven All-Star teams. In the process, he had inspired many like himself. “He paved the way for smaller players and proved we had a future in this game at the highest level,” Caufield shared back in September last year, adding, “I will forever be grateful to him for inspiring me and others.” 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.

Guy Gaudreau (Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau’s dad) was at the game and was seen with Cole Caufield after the game. @CanadiensMTL

— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) April 26, 2025

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

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.

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