Controversial clash: Arber Xhekaj ignites brawl in playoff debut, lifts Canadiens to crucial Game 3 win

The Montreal Canadiens needed a spark, and Arber Xhekaj delivered it on Friday night. Making his playoff debut at Bell Centre, Xhekaj brought energy, toughness, and a physical edge that helped lift the Canadiens to a 6-3 win over the Washington Capitals in Game 3. From warmups to the final whistle, his presence made a real difference and gave Montreal the boost they were looking for.


Arber Xhekaj didn’t just step into the playoffs, he made a statement. Crashing into Game 3 with intensity, Xhekaj immediately changed the energy on the ice. His fearless approach against one of Washington’s toughest players sent a loud message that the Montreal Canadiens were ready to fight.
In just over 10 minutes of ice time, Xhekaj kept his game smart and physical. He finished the night with a +1 rating, two penalty minutes, and a huge impact that went far beyond the box score. Captain Nick Suzuki praised Xhekaj’s performance under pressure, calling his contribution "a really valuable role in the win" and highlighting how important his toughness was in such a crucial game.
Josh Anderson echoed those thoughts, describing Xhekaj as a "huge presence" who immediately lifted the team's physicality and confidence. His impact was felt most during a heated second period. After Capitals forward Tom Wilson landed a rough hit on Jake Evans, Xhekaj and Ivan Demidov wasted no time standing up for their teammate. Moments later, Xhekaj tangled with Wilson, igniting a full-scale brawl that spilled toward the Capitals’ bench and brought the Bell Centre crowd to its feet.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman noted that the tension had been "brewing since warmups," and it was Xhekaj’s fearless style that finally set it off. His gritty, no-quit mentality gave Montreal the boost they needed, sparking an offensive breakout with goals from Cole Caufield, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Alexandre Carrier, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Suzuki.
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Even though the Capitals still lead the series 2-1, the momentum has clearly shifted. With Xhekaj’s fire and fight now part of the Canadiens' game plan, Montreal heads into a critical Game 4 with new energy and a real shot at evening the series.