Liveblog: Dach and Texier return for Canadiens, Panthers lead 2-1

The Montreal Canadiens (45-22-10), who had their eight-game winning streak snapped on Sunday, will be looking to get back into the win column on Tuesday night against the Florida Panthers (37-37-3) at the Bell Centre.

Puck drop at 7 p.m. (TSN2, RDS, TSN Radio 690, 98.5 FM).

Here’s what you need to know:

• Forwards Kirby Dach and Alexandre Texier are both ready to return from their respective injuries. They’ll take Joe Veleno and Brendan Gallagher‘s spots in the lineup.
• The other lineup move: Adam Engstrom will play in place of Kaiden Guhle on defence.
• Jakub Dobes starts in goal.

• Habs still chasing new offensive heights: Cole Caufield is at 49 goals, Nick Suzuki is five points away from 100, Juraj Slafkovsky needs a goal to reach 30 and three points to hit 70.
• In the Atlantic Division standings, the Buffalo Sabres are off tonight and the Tampa Bay Lightning play the Ottawa Senators. After tonight, all three clubs will have played 78 games. The Sabres and Bolts have 102 points, the Habs are two back.
• We already know the Florida Panthers will not repeat as Stanley Cup champions for a third consecutive season, as they failed to qualify for the postseason.
• Matthew Tkachuk won’t be in the lineup for Florida. His partner is due to give birth.

• How and where to watch the Canadiens on TV for 2025-26 season.
• Blacked out on TSN2 or RDS? Here’s how to watch Canadiens’ games from Ontario and Western Canada.

Stay tuned to this page for updates and game highlights throughout the evening. You can also keep the conversation going over on our livestream on the Hockey Inside Out YouTube channel.

---

First Period: Sluggish start

Panthers opened scoring off the rush when Jakub Dobes gave up a juicy rebound to Carter Verhaeghe. 1-0 Panthers

Carter Verhaeghe bangs home the rebound and the Panthers strike first! pic.twitter.com/LWkmlOFNw0

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 7, 2026

Kirby Dach can’t catch a break. He headed back to the dressing room after taking a hit from his own teammate, Arber Xhekaj. Dach returned for the second period.

Kirby Dach retraite au vestiaire après avoir reçu le bâton d'Arber Xhekaj en plein visage ?
pic.twitter.com/XvLvkKhAOI

— La Poche Bleue (@lapochebleue) April 7, 2026

---

Second Period:

While Caufield waits for goal no. 50, he set up Ivan Demidov with a slick one-timer goal on the power play to tie the game. Juraj Slafkovsky with the other assist. Tied 1-1

Ivan Demidov vous livre cette décharge! ?

An Ivan Demidov goal? Coming right up!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/LTAhOsaSwp

— x – Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 8, 2026

The Panthers regained the lead off a shot from Cole Reinhardt that banked off Dobes’ leg and went in. 2-1 Panthers

THE BANK IS OPEN!

Cole Reinhardt banks this one in off of Jakub Dobeš' pad and in to re-take the lead! pic.twitter.com/rVIjJy9GA0

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 8, 2026

---

Third Period:

The post Liveblog: Dach and Texier return for Canadiens, Panthers lead 2-1 appeared first on Montreal Gazette.