Overview
- Alexandre Texier logged his first NHL hat trick in a 6-2 win over Florida on Jan. 8, giving him four goals and two assists across two nights.
- The victory was Montreal’s third straight and fifth in six games, briefly moving the Canadiens into the Atlantic Division lead.
- Samuel Montembeault made 25 saves, steadying his game after a turnover that gifted Sam Bennett one of his two goals for the Panthers.
- Sergei Bobrovsky allowed five goals on 19 shots as injury-thinned Florida went without Brad Marchand, with defenceman Seth Jones expected to miss weeks.
- Texier, recently named to France’s Olympic team, has clicked on the top line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield after signing a one-year deal on Nov. 23.