Has Arber Xhekaj, the Canadiens’ most physical defenceman, become a lightning rod for officials in the playoffs?
, his defence partner, believes so.
“He definitely has a target on his back, which he has to manoeuvre,” Struble said after Thursday’s practice in Brossard. “I think he has been doing a good job.
“When he goes into a scrum, all eyes are on him,” Struble added. “The officials are grabbing him. He really has to walk a tighter line than we do. I think he has been doing a great job at it. We need him to be physical and hard.”
Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj knocks Lightning’s Yanni Gourde off the puck during the third period of Game 1 on Sunday in Tampa, Fla. Chris O’Meara / AP
On Tuesday night, the Canadiens believed they were going on a power play to begin the second period against Tampa Bay after Yanni Gourde was called for roughing. But when the period began, Xhekaj joined Gourde in the penalty box, having been assessed an unsportsmanlike minor.
“I didn’t like the call and I don’t agree with that call,” Struble said. “I guess a guy was putting the stick in (Xhekaj’s) face. It’s tough.”
It was a wild first period between the Canadiens and Lightning — one that took 47 minutes to play. Thirty-two penalty minutes were handed out, with Tampa Bay having an 18-14 edge. Xhekaj also received a double-minor for roughing in the 11th minute in his first interaction of the game with Gourde.
While the teams settled down when play resumed, the Lightning was the NHL’s most penalized team this season and appears to be attempting to intimidate the Canadiens in their best-of-seven series, which was tied 1-1 heading into Friday night’s game at the Bell Centre.
The Canadiens weren’t expected to make any roster changes for Game 3.
Xhekaj, 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, scored once and added three assists in 65 games this season while averaging 11:25 in ice time. He led the team in penalty minutes (116) and hits (173).
He had little to say about his unsportsmanlike conduct minor after Thursday’s practice, but doesn’t believe officials are deliberately targeting him.
“You’re going to have to watch that (play) and be the judge of that,” he said. “I don’t have much to say about it.”
Participating in a physical series, however, makes the native of Hamilton, Ont., almost salivate.
“It’s great and (plays) right into my game,” he said. “That’s the type of game I like to play. It falls right into my hand. If (the Lightning) wants to think they’re the bad guys, that’s OK. We’re here and we’re ready for whatever they have to offer us. We’re OK with it. We love it. We laugh about it after the game. It’s a brotherhood thing to stick together. We don’t mind the rough stuff at all. It definitely builds confidence.
“Maybe they’re frustrated and are trying to throw us off our game? We have big bodies and guys who like to play rough. And we’ll keep going.”
While the opening game of this series last Sunday — won 4-3 by Montreal in overtime — was relatively tame, with only 28 penalty minutes, the Lightning offered a potential precursor when the teams met April 9 at the Bell Centre, and Corey Perry attempted, unsuccessfully, to intimidate Lane Hutson.
Canadiens’ Oliver Kapanen, from left, Cole Caufield and David Reinbacher celebrate with Arber Xhekaj after he scored a goal during a practice in Brossard on Thursday. Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
The atmosphere at the Bell Centre Friday night will be loud and electric. If the Canadiens can score the first goal — and especially if it comes early — the mood will only intensify.
“I think we’re going to be buzzing off the energy in the building,” Xhekaj said. “We’re super excited to come home and play in front of our fans and get that next win.
“To go 1-1 on the road, when we could have easily been up 2-0, it’s a good start for us. To grab one on the road, now we’re going to come into our building, and we’re going to play our game.”
When the Canadiens won last Sunday, some delusional fans were suggesting a four-game sweep was in order. But after Tuesday’s overtime defeat, many on social media fear the Canadiens are playing into the Lightning’s hands, with the players reluctant to get hit and the intimidation factor leading to mistakes.
The Canadiens outhit Tampa Bay 43-34 in Game 2, but went into a defensive shell too early in the third period and failed to register an overtime shot.
“I honestly thought we dominated that game,” Struble said. “We had the lead most of the game. Obviously, there were a couple of plays, a couple of chances, we didn’t convert on.
“I think we’re in a great spot, and nothing really changes in terms of the series. I think our performance has been better these past two games.”
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