Canadiens: Big Hit Confirms Sheriff's Return

It hasn't been an easy start to the season for the Montreal Canadiens; there were a lot of losses and issues in the defensive zone. Fan favourite Arber Xhekaj has made the headlines and not always for the right reasons, his usage or lack of earlier on was heavily criticized.

Xhekaj himself spoke to the media and said he doesn't feel like coach Martin St-Louis is treating him unfairly but is only trying to make him the best defenseman he can be. The bench boss was even asked about the situation and felt he needed to say he wasn't upset with the rearguard.

Lately, though, we're seeing the Xhekaj of old—the one who played his game without complicating things, the one who dished out bone-crushing legal hits and could be relied on to drop the gloves if needed.

Now that he's had a regular partner for the last few games (Jayden Struble), the gritty defenseman seems much more comfortable and less "in his head." His fight with Mathieu Olivier delighted the fans in the duel with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the hit he laid on Zach Hyman against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday energized his team.

Related: Canadiens' St-Louis Is Not Upset With Xekaj

Asked about Xhekaj's play of lead, St-Louis said:

I think he’s found a rhythm. We tried to give him a rhythm by playing him in consecutive games one after another. You can see that he’s gaining confidence with these repetitions. His defensive responsibilities, he’s a lot more consistent. I think generally, with more confidence come better touches. It's a progression and it didn't happen overnight.

Xhekaj is in the first year of a two-year pact and hopes to solidify his place in the lineup to show Kent Hughes and co. that he deserves to be on this team when the Canadiens are finally ready to contend.

Last Summer, Hughes signed him to a "show-me deal," and there's no doubt Xhekaj will hope to show he deserves a long-term deal and to be part of the Canadiens ' core long-term. Playing as he has in the last few games is the way to go about it.

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