Mar 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj (72) skates with the puck near the net against the Florida Panthers in the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

We have an update regarding Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj.

He has just received more bad news, as he is ONCE AGAIN removed from the lineup, even though the team lost its last game against the Ottawa Senators.

This clearly reveals Martin St-Louis’ plan for ending the season, and it’s clear that Xhekaj is not part of it.

Arber Xhekaj Once Again Sent to the Press Box by Martin St-Louis

See the confirmation from RDS reporter:

Players not on the ice for warmups:

Arber Xhekaj, Joshua Roy, Emil Heineman, Ivan Demidov

These players will therefore not be in uniform tonight against the Maple Leafs.

– Patrick Friolet

So here’s what the lines and pairings look like for tonight:

Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Anderson-Dvorak-Gallagher
Laine-Newhook-Kapanen
Pezzetta-Evans-Armia

Matheson-Carrier
Guhle-Hutson
Struble-Savard

Dobes as the starting goalie.

It’s a lineup that doesn’t exactly have unanimous support among fans and analysts.

More details to follow.