BROSSARD, Que. — The difference in Alexandre Texier this season has been striking, though you’d never see it just by looking at the traditional numbers. 

Because even though Texier has appeared more productive than he’s ever been, he’s only produced two goals and five points. That’s a five per cent dip in the production rate he posted through the first 283 games of his NHL career. 

To know that Texier has only produced the same number of goals and points through 14 games as Jake Evans has produced over his last five is astounding considering how dominant he’s looked so far — and how under-utilized Evans is offensively.

Astounding was looking at NHL Edge Data and seeing that Texier has yet to record a single speed burst at or above the 21.92 m.p.h. he registered last season. We could’ve sworn the Frenchman was flying before that myth was officially busted.

Not that anyone should care. Least of all Texier, who said after Saturday’s game that he’s in a great mental and physical state.

“I’m obviously confident,” Texier said, though we didn’t need to hear that assertion to know.

We didn’t need the numbers to show us, either, because that goal Texier scored in Montreal’s 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins only further confirmed just how confident he’s been since the puck dropped on the NHL season back on Sept. 29.

Texier may not have moved any faster than he ever has to score that one, but how assertively and decisively he moved to put himself in position to let his all-world skill take over was telling enough.

That’s been the 27-year-old’s focus this season.

“It’s just moving my feet,” Texier said. “I’m feeling good about our line, the way we play, our role on the team, so that’s a bit different. But overall, it’s just moving my feet and creating room in the O-zone, offensively trying to be in the right spot. I don’t think I think too much about it; I think just moving is a big part of it. I’m moving my feet to get engaged. To create plays, play physical, it’s all about your feet, it starts with your feet.”

Texier has always used them to shake coverage and extend offensive possession, and that feature of his game has appeared as strong as ever this season. 

But right now, he’s using his feet much more to drive on the rush instead of pulling up to look for passes, and that’s been the most noticeable change in his game.

“For sure,” said Texier. “I think talking with ‘Big Cat’ (Adam Nicholas), our skill guy, it’s all about........

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