This transfer doesn’t come as a shock.
After Thursday’s non-obligatory morning skate on the Bell Centre, Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis introduced that defenceman Jayden Struble would change
Arber Xhekaj
within the lineup in opposition to the Nashville Predators
(7 p.m., TSN2, RDS).
St. Louis additionally mentioned Jakub Dobes will begin in objective.
Xhekaj had a team-low 10:00 of ice time throughout Tuesday evening’s
5-4 time beyond regulation win over the Seattle Kraken
on the Bell Centre and performed solely 2:06 after the second interval.
Struble was a wholesome scratch for the primary 4 video games.
Final season,
Xhekaj and Struble additionally battled for taking part in time.
Xhekaj was a wholesome scratch for 9 of the final 10 regular-season video games and the primary two playoff video games in opposition to the Washington Capitals earlier than changing Struble for the final three video games. Xhekaj performed 70 video games final season, posting 1-5-6 totals and a minus-13 differential, together with a team-high 118 penalty minutes, whereas averaging 14:37 of ice time. Struble performed 56 video games, posting 2-11-13 totals and was plus-2, together with 52 penalty minutes, whereas averaging 14:57 of ice time.
Full staff rosters and stats forward of tonight’s recreation between the Canadiens and Nashville Predators on the Bell Centre (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS) #Habs: pic.twitter.com/IZlOirWjT4
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) October 16, 2025
Xhekaj mentioned he started coaching camp with quite a lot of confidence and was capable of win the sixth defence spot to begin the season.
“I didn’t actually know what was going to occur and I nonetheless don’t know what’s going to occur with the lineup,” Xhekaj mentioned on the finish of coaching camp. “I simply had good confidence and I believe if I play properly, issues will deal with itself.
“I’ve realized I’ve acquired to be defender and I acquired to ensure guys are in entrance of me,” Xhekaj added. “So long as I play good defensively, a very robust defensive recreation and assist the staff and I make good performs within the O zone, that’s tremendous. I make fairly good passes right here and there. I believe all that different stuff is ok. As soon as I cement my defensive recreation, I believe there’s no method I’ll be out of the lineup.”
St. Louis clearly wasn’t trusting Xhekaj’s defensive recreation and he additionally didn’t need Struble to be sitting within the press field for too many video games. Xhekaj had one help within the first 4 video games and was plus-1 whereas averaging solely 10:53 of ice time.
Xhekaj mentioned on the finish of coaching camp that he has relationship with St. Louis.
“He treats me like his son … he treats all of us like his children and that’s type of how he coaches us, too,” Xhekaj mentioned. “I believe we talk properly. It’s good.
“Every participant has their very own persona and sure guys you in all probability can’t deal with more durable than others,” Xhekaj added. “It’s all about how a man can deal with it along with his persona. From me to the subsequent guys, we’re utterly totally different folks. Perhaps you may’t go and deal with him the way in which you’re going to deal with me. Each man, it’s a must to have a sure strategy to their persona. I believe that’s how Marty does it.”
Dobes might be making his second begin of the season.
He made 30 saves in a 5-1 win over the Pink Wings
in Detroit on Oct. 9, giving him a 1.00 goals-against common and a .968 save share. Samuel Montembeault has a 2-1 document with a 2.97 GAA and a .870 save share.
scowan@postmedia.com
x.com/StuCowan1
Associated
Cowan: Extending Canadiens’ Mike Matheson an ideal match for either side
Jeff Gorton’s street from Habs heartbreak to guiding staff again to glory
An unforgettable dwelling opener for Canadiens with tribute to Ken Dryden | HI/O Present
Source link
