Was Arber Xhekaj’s KO of Sabre proof Canadiens need him? | HI/O Bonus

Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj was fined $3,385 by NHL Player Safety after roughing up the Buffalo Sabres’ Sam Carrick at the end of Game 3 in their second-round playoff series and dropping him to the ice with a gloved punch to the face.

Was it money well spent by Xhekaj?

MONTREAL, QUE.: \May\ 10, 2026 — Montreal Canadiens’ Arber Xhekaj hits Buffalo Sabres’ Sam Carrick while Alexandre Carrier is hit by Sabres’ Peyton Krebs during third period of Game 3 of National Hockey League playoff series in Montreal, Sunday May 10, 2026. (John Mahoney / MONTREAL GAZETTE) John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette

That’s the question answered on this Hockey Inside/Out Show bonus episode, as The Gazette’s Stu Cowan is joined by former Canadiens teammates and 1986 Stanley Cup champions Chris Nilan and Rick Green.

The panel also discusses the way Xhekaj has been used during the playoffs with limited ice time and whether the Canadiens should re-sign the rugged 25-year-old who can become a restricted free agent this summer.

We will have two more bonus episodes coming up over the next few days, so you can look for those. In the meantime, if you haven’t already done so, please subscribe to the Hockey Inside/Out YouTube channel. The Hockey Inside/Out Show is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

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