Canadiens get reassuring injury update on Alexandre Texier ahead of crucial Lightning game

On Tuesday in Boston, the forward left the game in the second period. He was shaken up by a hit from Fraser Minten. The club described it as an upper-body injury, and he did not return.

Since then, his status has shifted to day-to-day, which keeps the door open for Sunday. That's exactly the kind of detail that brings relief, especially after an exit like that.

On Sunday, the Habs return to action in Tampa Bay against the Lightning. In the standings, Montreal comes in with a 20-12-5 record, while Tampa Bay sits at 20-13-3. Every point matters in the Atlantic, and the two clubs are right next to each other.

Alexandre Texier is currently back on the ice and practicing in a regular jersey.

Since arriving in Montreal, Texier has already made his mark on the scoresheet. He has totaled 3 goals and 3 assists, for 6 points, in 15 games. Including his games elsewhere, he now has 7 points in 23 games this season.

At 26 years old, he is playing this season on a one-year, $1M contract that runs through the end of 2025-2026. He also scored the shootout game-winning goal in Toronto two weeks ago.

The timing is good, as the Canadiens are coming off a 6-2 win over the Bruins. In that game, Jacob Fowler stopped 26 shots and the group scored four times in the third period. The Habs are riding a 3-0-1 stretch over their last four outings.

Meanwhile, it was just announced that Jake Evans will miss 4-6 weeks following his lower-body injury against the Penguins. Kirby Dach remains sidelined with a fracture in his right foot.

In goal, the Jakub Dobes option remains very much alive following his shootout win in Toronto. Samuel Montembeault is also back with the team, and Martin St-Louis can juggle his goaltenders.

With Texier listed as day-to-day, Sunday's lineup will be watched closely.