Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens Game 54: Xhekaj Out, Defence Pairs Shuffled

Published

1 year ago

February 14, 2023

The Montreal Canadiens (22-27-4) will look to make it three in a row when they face the Chicago Blackhawks (16-30-5) at the Bell Centre on Tuesday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

The Canadiens will be looking to build off their perfect Superbowl weekend where they knocked off both the New York Islanders and Edmonton Oilers in impressive fashion.

The most impressive takeaway from those games was the rapid development of the Canadiens’ young defensive brigade.

Jordan Harris has looked much more comfortable on the ice of late, playing the sound, two-way game that made him one of the best defencemen in the NCAA last season.

His offensive zone play has significantly improved of late, helping him drive offence with more ease; leading to the first two-goal game of his young career against the potent Oilers.

Unfortunately however, not all the Canadiens young defencemen are in good spirits at this time, as Arber Xhekaj wasn’t at practice today.

The 22-year-old defenceman got into a fight with Oilers’ defenceman Vincent Desharnais and immediately left the game favouring his shoulder.

Chris Wideman will be taking his spot in the lineup.

On t'aime comme tu es, Jordan 😊

Jordan being Jordan #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/6MJUx8hCw4

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) February 12, 2023

Meanwhile, at forward, the legend of Rafaël Harvey-Pinard continues to grow with each passing game.

The 24-year-old has been sensational since being recalled by the Montreal Canadiens in January, posting six goals and two assists for eight points in nine games.

The Canadiens’ 7th-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft is not only proving that he belongs in the NHL on a full-time basis, but that he can be a difference-maker in crucial moments.

You know who's been hot lately? Rafael Harvey-Pinard. 🔥

He now has 6 goals in 9 games since being recalled.#NHLStats: https://t.co/PQtrhbDHZb pic.twitter.com/mjxc2cTI6M

— NHL (@NHL) February 12, 2023

Jake Allen will get his second straight start after a stellar performance against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday.

Second City Blues

Like the Canadiens, the Chicago Blackhawks are preparing for what is expected to be a very important NHL Trade Deadline; but they’re likely to be a little busier.

With all eyes on Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews as we near the March 3 deadline, anticipation grows regarding whether they’ll lift their respective No-Movement clauses.

Other players like Jake McCabe, Max Domi and Sam Lafferty are also generating interest on the NHL Trade market, meaning that general manager Kyle Davidson is likely to be a busy man over the next few weeks.

The Blackhawks currently find themselves 11 points back of the Canadiens with 37 points, good for 31st in the NHL standings and only one point up on the Columbus Blue Jackets for last place.

It may be a game between two basement-dwellers in the NHL Standings, but NHL Betting Odds currently have the Habs the favourites at -160 odss on the moneyline.

Montreal Canadiens Injuries

Kaiden Guhle (Injured Reserve)
Joel Edmundson (Day-To-Day)
Brendan Gallagher (Injured Reserve)
Jake Evans (Injured Reserve)
Arber Xhekaj (Injured, No Update)
Juraj Slafkovsky (Injured Reserve)
Cole Caufield (Injured Reserve)
Sean Monahan (LTIR)
Carey Price (LTIR)
Paul Byron (LTIR)

Chicago Blackhawks Injuries

Jonathan Toews (Day-To-Day)
Alex Stalock (Injured Reserve)

Montreal Canadiens Previous Lineup

LW	C	RW
Cole Caufield	Nick Suzuki	Juraj Slafkovsky
Brendan Gallagher	Alex Newhook	Joel Armia
Jesse Ylonen	Jake Evans	Josh Anderson
Michael Pezzetta	Christian Dvorak	Rafael Harvey-Pinard