### Canadiens' Dominance: Texier's Hat Trick Leads to 6-2 Victory Over Panthers The Montreal Canadiens showcased a powerful performance against the Florida Panthers, winning 6-2 at the Bell Centre. This victory marked the Canadiens' third consecutive win and their seventh straight against the Panthers, who are the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions. Alexandre Texier was the standout player, scoring a hat trick, which was his first in the NHL, and contributing to the team's offensive surge. The Canadiens' success was further supported by goals from Noah Dobson, Oliver Kapanen, and Juraj Slafkovsky, while Samuel Montembeault made 24 saves in goal, solidifying his position as a key player since his recall from the AHL [https://apnews.com/article/panthers-canadiens-score-e1c5a3db597d80520b86a3e837f8e866, https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/texiers-hat-trick-lifts-canadiens-over-panthers-for-third-straight-victory]. ### Breakdown of the Canadiens' Victory 1. **Key Player Performance** - Alexandre Texier scored a hat trick, marking his second consecutive game with three points. - He had previously contributed one goal and two assists in a win against the Calgary Flames [https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/montreal-canadiens-three-goal-second-period-fuels-4-1-victory-over-calgary-flames]. 2. **Team Contributions** - Other goal scorers included Noah Dobson, Oliver Kapanen, and Juraj Slafkovsky, highlighting a well-rounded offensive effort. - Samuel Montembeault's performance in goal was crucial, as he made 24 saves and has won all three of his starts since returning from the AHL [https://www.nhl.com/news/florida-panthers-montreal-canadiens-game-recap-january-8-2026]. 3. **Game Context** - The Canadiens were looking to extend their winning streak to three games against a formidable opponent in the Panthers, who have struggled this season despite their recent championship pedigree [https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/01/08/alexandre-texier-nets-first-career-hat-trick-as-canadiens-tame-panthers]. ### Supporting Evidence of Performance - **Scoring Breakdown:** - **Texier's Goals:** 3 (Hat Trick) - **Other Goals:** Dobson, Kapanen, Slafkovsky (1 each) - **Panthers' Goals:** Sam Bennett scored twice for Florida [https://www.litterboxcats.com/florida-panthers-montreal-canadiens-recap-texier-bennett-dobson-kapanen-nhl]. - **Goaltending Stats:** - Samuel Montembeault: 24 saves, maintaining a perfect record since his recall [https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/texiers-hat-trick-lifts-canadiens-over-panthers-for-third-straight-victory]. ### Conclusion: Canadiens' Strong Performance and Future Outlook The Montreal Canadiens' 6-2 victory over the Florida Panthers underscores their current form and potential for the season. 1. **Key Takeaways:** - **Alexandre Texier's Emergence:** His hat trick not only highlights his growing confidence but also positions him as a pivotal player for the Canadiens moving forward. - **Team Cohesion:** The collective effort from multiple players indicates a strong team dynamic, essential for sustaining their winning streak. 2. **Future Implications:** - The Canadiens are now positioned well in the Atlantic Division, and if they maintain this level of play, they could be serious contenders as the season progresses [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/texier_scores_hat_trick_as_canadiens_beat_panthers_6_2/s1_16448_43306799]. In summary, the Canadiens' recent performances, particularly Texier's standout contributions, suggest a promising trajectory for the team as they continue to build momentum in the NHL.