MONTREAL (Interstat) — Alexandre Texier recorded a hat trick for his second straight three-point game, leading the Montreal Canadiens to a 6-2 victory over the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Thursday night at Bell Centre. Texier, who also had a goal and two assists Wednesday, scored once in the second period and twice in the third as Montreal pulled away before a crowd of 20,962. Oliver Kapanen added a goal and two assists for the Canadiens, who improved to 25-19. Sam Bennett scored both goals for the Panthers, who fell to 22-21. Montreal led 2-0 after the first period and responded to each Florida goal to secure the win.

MONTREAL (Interstat) — Alexandre Texier recorded a hat trick, continuing his torrid point streak, and the Montreal Canadiens delivered a commanding statement by dismantling the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers 6-2 on Thursday night at a raucous Bell Centre. A crowd of 20,962 watched the Canadiens (25-19) seize control early and never relent, handing the Panthers (22-21) their second decisive loss in three nights and extending Montreal’s winning streak to three games. The victory avenged a tight overtime win by the Canadiens in Florida just over a week prior and defied pregame projections that heavily favored the visiting Panthers. The most critical phase of the game was its opening period, where Montreal established a tone of physical and offensive dominance. Despite Florida generating several early chances, including a flurry from Mackie Samoskevich that was turned aside by goaltender Samuel Montembeault, the Canadiens’ pressure was relentless. They broke through at 17:35 of the first when Oliver Kapanen, stationed in front of the net, converted a slick backhand feed from Juraj Slafkovsky to make it 1-0. The momentum fully swung just over two minutes later. On a sustained offensive-zone shift, defenseman Noah Dobson unleashed a powerful slap shot from the point that beat Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky cleanly at 19:01, assisted by Mike Matheson and Kapanen. The two-goal cushion, built on a 15-8 shot advantage in the period, provided a foundation of confidence from which the Canadiens would not waver. Florida showed a brief sign of life in the second period. Capitalizing on a rare misplay by Montembeault behind his net, Panthers center Sam Bennett pounced on a loose puck and fired it into the vacated cage at 10:33 to cut the deficit to 2-1. The goal momentarily quieted the home crowd and suggested a potential shift in the game’s trajectory. Montreal, however, had a swift and definitive answer. On a power play generated by a double-minor high-sticking penalty against Florida’s Anton Lundell, the Canadiens’ power play, which had been kept at bay, finally connected. With precise puck movement, Nick Suzuki and Alexandre Carrier worked the puck to Texier at the net front, where he deftly redirected it past Bobrovsky at 16:41 of the second period. The goal restored the two-goal lead and effectively snuffed out Florida’s burgeoning momentum, sending the teams to the second intermission with Montreal leading 3-1. Any lingering doubt was erased early in the third period. Just 1:26 into the final frame, Texier struck again, taking a pass from Matheson and wiring a wrist shot for his second of the night, pushing the lead to 4-1. The Canadiens then put the game completely out of reach with a pair of late goals. At 11:59, Slafkovsky finished a play with assists from Kapanen and Lane Hutson. Texier completed his hat trick at 17:10, batting a puck out of mid-air following a sequence started by Samuel Blais and Joseph Veleno, sending a cascade of hats onto the ice from the appreciative Montreal faithful. Bennett added a second consolation goal for Florida at 13:23 of the third, but it was a mere footnote on a night dominated by the home team. Texier, named the game’s top star, now has four goals and five assists in his last three contests, including a goal and two assists in Wednesday’s win over Calgary. His linemate Oliver Kapanen was a force throughout, contributing a goal and two assists, while Sam Bennett’s two-goal effort was the sole consistent offensive threat for a frustrated Panthers squad. Montembeault was sturdy in the Montreal net, making 24 saves for the victory. Bobrovsky stopped 26 of 32 shots in a difficult night for the Florida netminder. The game was punctuated by physical play and penalty trouble, particularly for Florida defenseman Donovan Sebrango, who received two roughing minors and a misconduct in a third-period scrum that also involved Montreal’s Arber Xhekaj and Owen Beck. The loss continued a troubling trend for the Panthers, who have now lost four of their last five games and were outscored 10-3 in their last two road contests. They will look to regroup Saturday in Ottawa. The Canadiens, riding a wave of confidence, will host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, aiming to extend their winning streak and solidify their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Preview: Panthers at Canadiens MONTREAL (Interstat) — The Montreal Canadiens will look to build on a recent overtime victory against the same opponent when they host the Florida Panthers at Bell Centre on Thursday night. The Canadiens (23-19-0) edged the Panthers (22-20-0) 3-2 in overtime on Dec. 30 in Sunrise, Florida, in the only previous meeting this season. Montreal enters with a slight edge in the standings and fresh off a 4-3 overtime win at Dallas on Sunday. Florida is coming off a 4-1 loss at Toronto on Tuesday. A key matchup will feature Florida forward Carter Verhaeghe against Montreal defenseman Lane Hutson. Verhaeghe scored the Panthers’ lone goal in the loss to Toronto and has points in two of his last three games. Hutson, the dynamic rookie blueliner, was instrumental in the Dec. 30 win against Florida, recording two assists. He is riding a hot streak with two goals and four assists over his last five games. Montreal’s offense has shown potency, scoring four or more goals in four of its last six contests. The Panthers have struggled for consistency, alternating wins and losses over their past eight games and averaging just 2.25 goals per game in that span. According to National Statistical’s game simulator, the projected final score is Montreal 4, Florida 3. The Canadiens will begin a three-game homestand with this contest before hosting Detroit on Saturday. The Panthers continue a four-game road trip that next stops in Ottawa on Saturday. Game Facts: When: Thursday, 7 p.m. EST. Where: Bell Centre, Montreal. Records: Panthers 22-20-0; Canadiens 23-19-0. Last Meeting: Canadiens 3, at Panthers 2 (OT), Dec. 30, 2025. Players to Watch: Panthers — C Carter Verhaeghe (team-high 22 goals). Canadiens — D Lane Hutson (leads NHL rookie defensemen with 32 points). Projection: National Statistical simulates a 4-3 Canadiens victory.