In a move that’s already stirring debate across Canadiens Nation, head coach Martin St-Louis has confirmed that Arber Xhekaj will remain in the lineup tonight against the Seattle Kraken—despite a glaring decline in the physical edge that once defined the 24-year-old defenseman.
Xhekaj, who logged a mere six minutes of ice time in the Canadiens’ last outing against Vancouver, was widely expected to be a healthy scratch. Instead, St-Louis shut down speculation with a terse “No” when asked about lineup changes during his pregame press conference in Seattle.
The decision comes amid growing concerns about Xhekaj’s recent performance. Once feared for his bruising style, the defenseman has registered just three hits in his last six games—a stat that has not gone unnoticed by fans or analysts.
“Whatever’s going on, it can’t continue like this,” said Anthony Martineau on the Sick Podcast. “What separates number 72 in this league is his toughness. That’s how he makes an impact.”
St-Louis, however, appears unfazed by the criticism. “We want to give him more [ice time],” he said. “But he’s got to keep stacking shifts. There are some really good defensemen in front of him right now.”
The coach’s unwavering support may be a calculated gamble—or a sign of deeper internal expectations for Xhekaj to rediscover his identity on the ice. Either way, tonight’s matchup against the Kraken could be a turning point.
With Jakub Dobes starting in net and the Canadiens wrapping up their four-game road trip, all eyes will be on Xhekaj. Will he rise to the occasion—or continue to fade into the background?
One thing is certain: Martin St-Louis is betting on him. And in Montreal, that bet won’t go unnoticed.