Alexandre Texier’s impressive hat trick powered the Montreal Canadiens to a thrilling 6-2 victory over the Florida Panthers amidst an electrifying atmosphere at the Bell Centre.
Texier continued his hot streak with another stellar performance, following up his recent three-point night with a goal and two assists in the Canadiens’ previous win against the Calgary Flames.
In addition to Texier’s heroics, goals from Noah Dobson, Oliver Kapanen, and Juraj Slafkovsky, supported by assists from Kapanen and Mike Matheson, sealed the win for Montreal, extending their winning streak to three games.
Notably, the Canadiens secured their fourth consecutive home victory at the Bell Centre, marking a season-best for the team. Goalkeeper Samuel Montembeault, hailing from Becancour, Que., showcased his talent with 24 saves in his first start in Montreal since December.
Despite a valiant effort from Florida’s Samuel Montembeault, who scored both Panthers goals, the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions faced their second consecutive defeat in a challenging six-game road stretch. The Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky struggled in goal, losing his third game since the start of 2026.
Missing their leading scorer Brad Marchand, the Panthers felt the absence of his offensive prowess as they failed to convert on three power-play opportunities, extending their power-play drought.
In contrast, Montreal’s penalty kill stood strong, shutting down 15 consecutive power plays at home. The Canadiens’ defensive resilience has been key to their recent success, having not allowed a power-play goal at the Bell Centre in five games.
A crucial moment in the game came when Montembeault’s rare mistake allowed the Panthers to capitalize, breathing life into the game. Despite the blunder, the Canadiens’ fans rallied behind their goalkeeper, showing unwavering support with chants of “Mon-ty! Mon-ty!”
A standout statistic is Montreal’s impressive seven-game winning streak against the Panthers, dating back to April 2024.
Looking ahead, the Panthers will face the Ottawa Senators, while the Canadiens are set to host the Detroit Red Wings in their next matchups.
