Tensions Rise as Canadiens' Arber Xhekaj Fuming After Lineup Snub by Martin St. Louis

Although there is still a place for the physical style of play in the NHL, players who exclusively use it are becoming less valuable members of a lineup. This might be the case in Montreal, where the team is playing the New York Rangers in the NHL's Frozen Frenzy and young blue liner Arber Xhekaj is expected to be a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game.

The young defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens, is presently going through a difficult period, and It's becoming obvious that the player who was used to being in the starting lineup every day is no longer part of the Habs' plans.

Due to Jayden Struble's injury, he played every game at the beginning of the season, but it's clear that Xhekaj is the seventh defenseman in a fully healthy defensive lineup.

The fact that the Montreal Canadiens will be playing a certain Matt Rempe (of the New York Rangers) tonight makes the news even more difficult for the sheriff to accept.

Since he feels he should be a regular in the Canadiens lineup, it should come as no surprise that "The Sheriff" was not pleased with this at all. He was really pissed off at practice on Monday following the healthy scratch.

Xhekaj may have been kept out of the lineup because, as Bélanger hinted, he waited until he was scratched to display this kind of aggression; It seems as Mike Matheson is probably going to return to the lineup.

The precise reason for Xhekaj's absence from the Canadiens lineup is unknown, but it's probably something he and St. Louis are discussing, so this could change during the season.