With the Montreal Canadiens battling in one of the tightest playoff races in the NHL, opportunities are rare and often short-lived. But thanks to an untimely injury on the blue line, Arber Xhekaj has been handed exactly that, a window. What he does with it could determine whether he’s watching playoff hockey or playing in it.
Alexandre Carrier’s Injury Opens the Door
The Canadiens took a hit on the back end with the news that Alexandre Carrier will be sidelined for two to four weeks due to an upper-body injury. It’s a tough loss for a team that has relied heavily on structure and stability in recent weeks, especially during a stretch where every game feels like a playoff matchup. Carrier had quietly been doing his job, helping solidify the defensive rotation.
In response, the Canadiens recalled Adam Engström, a promising young defenceman who has been making noise with the Laval Rocket. While Engström represents the future, the immediate replacement, at least for now, has been Xhekaj. It was Xhekaj who drew into the lineup Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning, not Engström. That decision alone speaks volumes. The coaching staff had options, but they chose experience and physical presence over potential. And now, Xhekaj finds himself back in the conversation.
Finally Getting Ice Time
To understand the importance of this opportunity, you have to look at what Xhekaj’s past few weeks have looked like. Simply put, he’s been on the outside looking in. Between March 15 and March 29, Xhekaj did not play a single game. During that stretch, it was Jayden Struble who stepped in and helped stabilize the Canadiens’ defensive core. Struble didn’t just fill minutes; he earned trust. In a playoff race, that’s everything.
When Xhekaj did get back into the lineup on March 29 against the Carolina Hurricanes, it was in a very limited and somewhat unusual role. He played just over five minutes, and not even as a defenceman, but as a forward. That kind of usage tells you exactly where he stood in the pecking order at the time.
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It wasn’t a demotion officially, but it was close. Fast forward a few days, and the situation has shifted. Against Tampa Bay, Xhekaj logged 12:57 of ice time, his highest since Jan. 29. That’s not top-pairing usage by any means, but it’s meaningful. It shows that the coaching staff is at least willing to give him a real look again.
A Big Opportunity at the Right Time
There’s no denying that Carrier’s injury comes at a bad time for the Canadiens as a team. Losing a reliable piece on defence in the middle of a playoff push is never ideal. But for Xhekaj individually, this is exactly the kind of opening he needed. The question is simple: can he take advantage of it?
Xhekaj’s identity is well established. He brings physicality, toughness, and a presence that very few players in the Canadiens’ lineup can replicate. He can change the tone of a game with a single hit, stand up for teammates, and make opponents think twice about cutting into dangerous areas. But that alone won’t be enough, not anymore.
What Xhekaj needs to show over the next couple of weeks is that he can play within the structure, make the right first pass, avoid costly turnovers, and hold his position defensively. The Canadiens don’t need him to do too much; they just need him not to hurt them.
If he can combine his physical edge with reliable, mistake-free hockey, he becomes a very intriguing option for Martin St. Louis heading into the playoffs. Because when the postseason arrives, the game changes. It gets heavier. It gets tighter. Space disappears, and every inch has to be earned. That’s where a player like Xhekaj can thrive, if he’s trusted.
With Carrier expected to miss at least a couple of weeks, Xhekaj has a clear runway to prove himself. Engström is waiting. Struble has already made his case. Reinforcements are always looming. Nothing is guaranteed. But for the first time in a while, the opportunity is. Now it’s on Xhekaj to make sure it doesn’t slip away.
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