The atmosphere inside the Bell Centre was electric last night as the Montreal Canadiens secured a dominant 7-3 victory over the New York Islanders. But beneath the offensive outburst, a storm is brewing. The «Sheriff,» Arber Xhekaj, was once again a healthy scratch, and the hockey world is starting to connect the dots: is this the end of the road for number 72 in Montreal?
Sidelined when he’s needed most
Let’s be honest, the situation is becoming increasingly concerning. Xhekaj has been kept out of the lineup against Washington, Boston, and now the Islanders—all teams known for their heavy, physical style of play. Despite the win, fans in sports bars across Quebec are asking the same question: Why is the team’s most feared protector sitting in the stands?
While Xhekaj has refined his game this season, moving the puck efficiently and staying out of the penalty box, Martin St-Louis seems to have lost all trust in him. Instead, the coach has leaned heavily on Jayden Struble, who finished the Islanders game with a -1 rating and several uncharacteristic positioning mistakes.
Is the Sheriff being sacrificed?
The lack of protection for young stars like Lane Hutson and Nick Suzuki was palpable last night. When tensions rose against the Islanders, there was no one there to push back.
«I think it’s the beginning of the end… Start connecting the dots,» observers are warning.
St-Louis appears to favor Struble’s theoretical «reliability» over Xhekaj’s physical presence, but he is playing with fire. Defensemen with Xhekaj’s size, skating ability, and intimidation factor are rare assets in a rebuild.
A risky game for management
The Canadiens hold a solid 38-21-10 record, but the internal tension surrounding the defensive group is growing. Sidelining one of the most popular players in the city is a gamble that could lead to a massive fan revolt if a trade is announced. If Kent Hughes decides to move on from the Sheriff, management will have a lot of explaining to do to an angry Montreal faithful.