Alexandre Texier nets first career hat-trick as Canadiens tame Panthers

Alexandre Texier recorded his first career hat trick and the host Canadiens won their third straight game by a 6-2 count over the Florida Panthers.

Texier has four goals and two assists in his past two games.

Oliver Kapanen tallied a goal and two assists and Juraj Slafkovsky contributed a goal and an assist for the Canadiens, who have won five of six. Mike Matheson added two assists, and Sam Montembeault made 25 saves.

Montreal was playing the second game of a back-to-back after a 4-1 win against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.

Sam Bennett scored twice for the Panthers, who have lost four of five (1-3-1) while scoring two goals or less in each game. Sergei Bobrovsky made 14 saves.

Noah Dobson gave the Canadiens a 1-0 lead at 2:59 of the first period when his slap shot from the point deflected off the stick of Florida's A.J. Greer and past Bobrovsky.

Kapanen made it 2-0 at 17:35 when he batted the puck out of the air and into the net with a backhand from in front.

Bennett took advantage of a Montembeault miscue to pull the Panthers within 2-1 at 5:33 of the second period. Montembeault went behind the net to play the puck, but sent it out to Bennett, who fired it home from a sharp angle below the left circle.

Texier increased the lead to 3-1 at 13:41 when Alexandre Carrier, in the left circle, found him for the tip-in at the far post.

Texier made it 4-1 at 7:26 of the third period. He entered the zone 2-on-1 with Cole Caufield and attempted to pass across to him. The pass attempt deflected off defenseman Donovan Sebrango and back to Texier, who scored before Bobrovsky could recover.

Bennett pulled the Panthers within 4-2 at 11:23, knocking in the rebound of Evan Rodrigues' shot on the rush.

Juraj Slafkovsky was awarded an empty net goal at 17:59 when he was fouled from behind on a breakaway.

Texier completed the hat trick with 50 seconds remaining when he knocked in a loose puck at the right post.

The Canadiens have won both decisions vs. the defending Stanley Cup champions this season.