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WATCH: Arber Xhekaj pummels Sens' Zach MacEwen with haymakers, accrues 49 penalty minutes in 5 preseason games
Montreal Canadiens enforcer Arber Xhekaj flexed some muscle in Saturday night’s Habs-Senators game.
Early in the first period, Ottawa forward Zack MacEwen engaged Arber Xhekaj in retaliation for the hit on Ottawa star Tim Stutzle in the teams’ last meeting.
However, things didn’t go quite as planned for MacEwen. Not only did Arber Xhekaj respond to his hit on Stutzle, Xhekaj pummeled MacEwen. Here’s a look at the fisticuffs between both pugilists:
Both players got a major penalty for fighting, while MacEwen got hit with unsportsmanlike conduct for instigating the altercation.
With Saturday night’s bout, Xhekaj has racked up an astounding 49 penalty minutes in five preseason games. If Xhekaj continues this pace over a full 82-game season, he could accrue over 800 penalty minutes, easily blowing past the single-season record.
The record-holder is Dave Schultz of the Philadelphia Flyers who accumulated 472 penalty minutes during the 1974-75 season. Schultz played 76 games, racking up 109 total penalties.
While it’s unlikely that Arber Xhekaj registers over 800 penalty minutes, he looks determined to break the single-season penalty minute mark this season.
Ultimately, the Senators won the game 4-2, with Xhekaj scoring a goal midway through the third period, punctuating quite the eventful evening.
Arber Xhekaj looks set as the enforcer in the Habs’ blue line
This season, Xhekaj figures to become a permanent fixture on the Canadiens’ blue line. Daily Faceoff projects Xhekaj on the Habs’ third pairing with Justin Barron. For Xhekaj, it could be his first real chance at earning a full-time role in the NHL.
Xhekaj went undrafted, signing instead with the Canadiens and working his way up from the minors. He eventually got a shot at the big club, playing in 51 games during the 2022-23 season. In those 51 contests, Xhekaj racked up 101 penalty minutes.
Last season, Xhekaj saw action in just 44 contests, racking up 81 minutes. His tough demeanor and no-nonsense attitude have earned him a reputation for being an enforcer. He has taken on some of the league’s toughest opponents like the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Ryan Reaves.
In the meantime, Montreal fans have warmed up to Xhekaj. He’s quickly become a fan favorite, earning the respect of teammates and fans. This year could mark the beginning of a long tenure with the red, white, and blue of the Montreal Canadiens.
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