Alexandre Texier has hat trick in the Canadiens' 6-2 victory over the Panthers
Montreal Canadiens' Oliver Kapanen (91) scores on Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) as teammate Ivan Demidov (93) looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. Credit: AP/Christinne Muschi
MONTREAL — Alexandre Texier had a hat trick for his second straight three-point game and the Montreal Canadiens beat the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers 6-2 on Thursday night.
Texier had a goal and two assists Wednesday night in a 4-1 victory over Calgary.
Noah Dobson, Oliver Kapanen and Juraj Slafkovsky also scored to help Montreal win its third straight overall and seventh in a row against the Panthers.
Samuel Montembeault made 24 saves in his first start in Montreal since Dec. 2. He has won all three of his starts since being recalled from his conditioning assignment with the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League on Dec. 27.
Sam Bennett scored twice for Florida, and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 14 shots. The Panthers have have dropped the first two games of on a six-game trip.
The Panthers were without scoring leader Brad Marchand. He's is day-to-day after leaving a 4-1 loss at Toronto on Tuesday because of an undisclosed injury.
Up next
Panthers: At Ottawa on Saturday night.
Montreal Canadiens' Oliver Kapanen (91) celebrates his goal over Florida Panthers with teammates Juraj Slafkovsky (20), Ivan Demidov (93), Arber Zhekaj (72) and Jayden Struble (47) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. Credit: AP/Christinne Muschi
Canadiens: Host Detroit on Saturday night.
